Contributions
1,330 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDErasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum SeekersMy Lords, the UK has agreed terms to join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. The scope of the programme is set by the European Commission, and diversity and inclusion is a key…29 Jan 2026HANSARDErasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum SeekersYes, my noble friend is absolutely right. This is an enormously exciting opportunity for learners, for educators, for young people and for our communities. It is an investment in…29 Jan 2026HANSARDErasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum SeekersOf course, the nature of the rights of asylum seekers means that they would not, for example, be able to benefit from travel overseas. Were they to be volunteering or in…29 Jan 2026HANSARDErasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum SeekersThe noble Lord is exactly right. That is why we need to make sure, with this opportunity that we have with Erasmus+, that we do better than we did the last time we were in the…29 Jan 2026HANSARDErasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum SeekersThis is a number one priority. In my work in the Department for Work and Pensions, the Secretary of State has been completely clear about the focus that we need to place on youth…29 Jan 2026HANSARDErasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum SeekersI am sorry, but I do not recognise those figures. What we have agreed is the joining of the last year of this round of Erasmus+ in 2027, at a 30% discount—something not achieved…29 Jan 2026HANSARDErasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum SeekersAll the revenue raised from the international student levy will be invested into higher education and the rest of the skills system, including the reintroduction of maintenance…29 Jan 2026HANSARDErasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum SeekersNo, we are joining Erasmus on much better financial arrangements, with a 30% discount, for a larger scheme that will provide more opportunities for our young people and, in fact,…29 Jan 2026HANSARDErasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum SeekersThe noble Lord is right. We have a job, as I was just suggesting, to make sure that schools around the country understand the potential of Erasmus. That is why we will soon be in…29 Jan 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, before I turn to the groups concerning home education, I thank noble Lords for the thoughtful contributions made in Committee and those who have engaged since then in…28 Jan 2026HANSARDSchools: Music and Dance SchemeMy Lords, this Government are committed to revitalising and widening access to arts education, including specialist education for our highest-achieving musicians and dancers. We…28 Jan 2026HANSARDSchools: Music and Dance SchemeMy noble friend is right that since 2010 funding for the music and dance scheme has been largely static. In fact, in some years between 2010 and 2020 it was cut in cash terms. I…28 Jan 2026HANSARDSchools: Music and Dance SchemeThe fact that dance sits under PE means that it is part of the national curriculum up to the age of 16. However, I take the noble Baroness’s point, which I think she has made…28 Jan 2026HANSARDSchools: Music and Dance SchemeI agree with the noble Lord; that is the whole point of the music and dance scheme. It enables 2,000 young people who might not otherwise be able to get, as he says, that private…28 Jan 2026HANSARDSchools: Music and Dance SchemeThis year, as has been the case since 2010, we have maintained the value of the funding for the music and dance scheme, and we have provided an additional £4 million to support…28 Jan 2026HANSARDSchools: Music and Dance SchemeIt is not right to say that the only support provided to music and the arts is through the music and dance scheme. That deals with a particular issue about how we ensure that,…28 Jan 2026HANSARDSchools: Music and Dance SchemeMy noble friend makes an important point about the economic benefit and growth potential of the creative industries, which is why, as she says, we are developing a specific sector…28 Jan 2026HANSARDSchools: Music and Dance SchemeNo, it is not. That is why, unlike the noble Baroness’s Government, we have not cut the money for the music and dance scheme. I understand that schools are keen that we provide…28 Jan 2026HANSARDSchools: Music and Dance SchemeIf every department in government was able to immediately come up with the money for everything that everybody argued was not a great amount of money in the scheme of things, it…28 Jan 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, Amendment 107, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Bird, seeks to place a duty on the Secretary of State to set legally binding child poverty reduction targets. I agree with…28 Jan 2026