Contributions
1,330 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPrimary Schools: Mental Health ProblemsThat is an appropriately wide-ranging question from my noble friend. First, on the topic of bullying, it is enormously important that every school has a strong policy and strong…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren’s RightsThe noble Lord has an important and distinguished history in challenging Governments and safeguarding children, and he is absolutely right that we must protect children at risk of…27 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s RightsThe right reverend Prelate is right that there are very many children receiving excellent education in schools run by and sponsored by the Church of England, including the school…27 Jan 2025HANSARDInstitute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [HL]That the amendments for the Report stage be marshalled and considered in the following order: Clause 1, Schedule 1, Clause 2, Schedule 2, Clause 3, Schedule 3, Clauses 4 to 13,…27 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s RightsThe noble Lord is absolutely right that we have a crisis of absence. Children cannot be properly taught, and in some cases they cannot be properly protected, unless they are…27 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s RightsThe noble Baroness is right that the lack of suitable provision for children with complex needs, as well as some secure children’s homes, is a very key part of the reason why…27 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s RightsMy Lords, children are at the heart of this Government’s ambitions. We will deliver lasting change for all children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. From April…27 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s RightsMy noble friend is right that we must consider children’s rights in all our policy-making, and the Government recognise the importance of considering children’s rights in that…27 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s RightsIn line with the UNCRC, we recognise the age of a child in the UK as being under 18 years of age. In that way, children are treated differently from adults. However, we do have an…27 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s RightsThe noble Baroness is right that, for many families and children, the availability of free school meals is very important. That is why we continue with the programme for all…27 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren and Young People: LiteracyI share my noble friend’s view about the importance and contribution of school libraries. Perhaps the additional core school funding being provided, or the quite particular advice…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren and Young People: LiteracyMy Lords, reading for pleasure is hugely important and has many benefits. The department has implemented a range of measures to support reading for enjoyment, including through…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren and Young People: LiteracyMy noble friend is absolutely right. I still remember my mother’s excellent Winnie the Pooh voice, my children—I think—benefited from my reading to them, and I very much hope that…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren and Young People: LiteracyThe noble Lord makes a very important point. Going back to the Little Moments Together campaign that I was talking about earlier, we have provided grant funding for early years…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren and Young People: LiteracyThe noble Baroness is right that we have seen significant progress in the teaching of early reading, and I congratulate all those involved in that. I remember how in 2006 the then…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren and Young People: LiteracyMy Lords, one of the important roles of the English hubs programme, which the Government are supporting with a further £23 million this year, has been to ensure that both access…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren and Young People: LiteracyAs a fellow teacher, although from quite a long time ago, I can say that the noble Lord makes a very good point. It builds on the earlier point about how we can work alongside the…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren and Young People: LiteracyThe noble Baroness is right that there is a lot of important information in the National Literacy Trust’s annual literacy survey. She is also right about writing, which is why the…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren and Young People: LiteracyMy noble friend is absolutely right, and I praise the intervention of Frank Cottrell-Boyce and of course of other writers of excellent children’s literature who promote the joy of…23 Jan 2025HANSARDFree Schools and AcademiesMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Evans, on securing this important debate and thank noble Lords for the excellent contributions we have heard from across your…23 Jan 2025