Contributions
1,152 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEuropean Social CharterMy Lords, the Prime Minister made our commitment to the Council of Europe clear at the Blenheim summit in July. The UK ratified the European Social Charter in 1962 and signed the…03 Sept 2024HANSARDEuropean Social CharterI absolutely agree with the noble Lord. We regard a prosperous society as one in which a good partnership is built between businesses, Government, employers and workers. That is…03 Sept 2024HANSARDEuropean Social CharterNice try. Just to clarify, I should say that I was not talking about resources in terms of ratification. To ratify a treaty is to agree to be bound by its provisions. If UK…03 Sept 2024HANSARDHousehold Support FundMy Lords, the household support fund is a scheme to provide local support to those most in need. For the period April to September 2024 DWP has provided £500 million, of which…24 Jul 2024HANSARDHousehold Support FundI remember that very well. In fact, I read the Hansard of the last time this came up and noticed that the noble Lord made that point. When I looked at how the financing had been…24 Jul 2024HANSARDHousehold Support FundI am grateful; that is a really important point and I thank the noble Baroness for making it. Prevention is always better than cure, even if it is not always possible to replace…24 Jul 2024HANSARDHousehold Support FundI pay tribute to the Church and other faith organisations, which do such important work with children, families and their communities. I commend them for that. The question of…24 Jul 2024HANSARDHousehold Support FundMy Lords, certainly in this Parliament, we will provide councils with more stability and certainty through multiyear funding settlements. The aim is to ensure that councils can…24 Jul 2024HANSARDHousehold Support FundThe noble Baroness makes a good point and I commend her for raising it repeatedly in this House. It is an important question and I have two things to say. First, the breakfasts…24 Jul 2024HANSARDHousehold Support FundMy Lords, I assume that the noble Lord is talking about a vote in the other place on the two-child limit. I certainly would not comment on the decisions of the Chief Whip…24 Jul 2024HANSARDHousehold Support FundMy Lords, I regret that I am not in a position to commit to another tranche of funding. What I will say is that one reason why the scheme was designed to give maximum discretion…24 Jul 2024HANSARDHousehold Support FundMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that question and for the warmth of her welcome. We appreciate very much the crucial role that local authorities are playing in providing…24 Jul 2024HANSARDCarer’s AllowanceMy Lords, let me give an example. Carer’s allowance is a cliff-edge benefit. If you are caring for 35 hours a week and you earn £151 a week or less, you get the lot. If you earn…21 May 2024HANSARDHate Crimes Against Muslim WomenMy Lords, as the shadow Faith Minister, I hear increasing reports when I meet faith communities that their members are feeling unsafe in our country. As the noble Baroness, Lady…20 May 2024HANSARDPeople with Disabilities: Access to ServicesMy Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords for the depth and breadth of this fabulous debate, and particularly to my noble friend Lady Hughes of Stretford for the very…16 May 2024HANSARDCare Leavers: Universal CreditMy Lords, the Minister will be aware that in 2017 the Children’s Society did some research into care leavers and benefits. It reported that care leavers were five times as likely…13 May 2024HANSARDHealth and Disability ReformMy Lords, I am grateful to have the opportunity at last to ask some questions about this Statement, because the route here has not been pretty or swift. The Prime Minister made a…01 May 2024HANSARDChild PovertyMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Bird, for securing this debate and all noble Lords who have spoken. Before I say anything more, I add my reflection to those of my noble…29 Apr 2024HANSARDChild PovertyI am grateful to the noble Lord for clarifying that. One of the most depressing points of my career, frankly, was coming into the Lords in 2010 and having to sit on the Opposition…29 Apr 2024HANSARDJewish Community in London: SafetyPerhaps I can. British Jews are no more responsible for the actions of the State of Israel than I am. To return to the question, it is clear that this incident was deeply…25 Apr 2024