Contributions
1,330 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSharia-compliant Student FinanceObviously, we keep interest rates, which are linked to the RPI for student finance, under review. But in principle, as far as the student finance system is concerned, it is right…13 Nov 2024HANSARDSharia-compliant Student FinanceThe noble Lord makes a very important point. Perhaps I was not clear enough in response to his noble friend. Part of the work that we are doing is to engage with the Muslim…13 Nov 2024HANSARDSharia-compliant Student FinanceI think the Student Loans Company works quite hard in order to ensure that students understand the commitments that they are taking on with student loan finance. But it is a fair…13 Nov 2024HANSARDSharia-compliant Student FinanceMy noble friend is absolutely right and I am pleased to say that I will be meeting with Martin Lewis, who does a sterling job of explaining not just this but many elements of…13 Nov 2024HANSARDSex and Gender: Official DataThe noble Lord identifies why it is important that we have clarity about the measures being used in order to ensure that services are appropriate to people. That is the objective…05 Nov 2024HANSARDSex and Gender: Official DataThe first part of the review has been received by the Government, who are currently considering it. I undertake to come back to this House with a response to that.05 Nov 2024HANSARDSex and Gender: Official DataThe noble Lord would be well advised to look at the Equality Act, for example. I have to say that this would be a better debate if we spent more time worrying about how we provide…05 Nov 2024HANSARDSex and Gender: Official DataI agree—a woman is an adult female, and her biological sex may well determine what services she needs from the NHS. That is why it is important that, in statistics that are used…05 Nov 2024HANSARDHigher Education ReformMy Lords, first, I welcome the positive response to yesterday’s Statement and announcements. I think we all understand that this country is blessed with a world-class university…05 Nov 2024HANSARDEducation: Early Years Attainment GapAs I outlined to the noble Lord, it is a very big challenge and one that we inherited from the previous Government. We have reinvigorated the recruitment campaign and are focusing…05 Nov 2024HANSARDEducation: Early Years Attainment GapThe noble Baroness is right that those are the areas where need is very great. In our recent announcement of £15 million-worth of investment in the first 300 nurseries based in…05 Nov 2024HANSARDEducation: Early Years Attainment GapThe noble Lord is right that the quality of staff is fundamental, but so is the number of staff. We have a big challenge to ensure that we have sufficient staff in place by next…05 Nov 2024HANSARDEducation: Early Years Attainment GapMy noble friend is right about the progress that was made under the last Labour Government, and she played an important role in that Government in this area of policy. I assure my…05 Nov 2024HANSARDEducation: Early Years Attainment GapMy Lords, our plans for the best start in life, to reduce inequality and close the attainment gap, include delivering 3,000 new or expanded school-based nurseries to break down…05 Nov 2024HANSARDSex and Gender: Official DataMy Lords, the Government value the collection of high quality and robust data on this topic. The Government Statistical Service will publish a work plan for updated, harmonised…05 Nov 2024HANSARDSex and Gender: Official DataI think I can probably understand how the noble Lord was going to finish his question. I tend to agree with him, and I will be committed, alongside my other equality…05 Nov 2024HANSARDHigher Education ReformI am sure that my department’s data on that is correct, but I stick with the point made yesterday, which is also correct: if we take the free school meals measure in the most…05 Nov 2024HANSARDEducation: Early Years Attainment GapMy noble friend is absolutely right that investing money in our youngest children demonstrably improves their outcomes later in life. It is the most effective place in which to…05 Nov 2024HANSARDHigher Education ReformI thank my noble friend and wholly agree with her. It has been a difficult decision to ask students to pay more to safeguard the future of higher education, but I think it was the…05 Nov 2024HANSARDHigher Education ReformThe noble Baroness makes an important point about honest policy-making. While sometimes it is politically easy to make extravagant promises, what is important is that you are…05 Nov 2024