Contributions
362 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHigher Education: Creative CoursesMy Lords—26 Feb 2025HANSARDNational Youth StrategyMy Lords, a range of youth services were cut by the last Government. Policies were axed directly in Whitehall or because of severe cuts to local authority budgets. It will not be…10 Dec 2024HANSARDShared Prosperity Fund: WalesI thank the Minister for that Answer, because the era of doing things to Wales, rather than with Wales, is surely at an end. When will proper devolved decision-making reflect both…04 Dec 2024HANSARDShared Prosperity Fund: WalesTo ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made towards giving decision-making over the allocation of the Shared Prosperity Fund to democratic representatives in…04 Dec 2024HANSARDCivil Service: PoliticisationI thank the noble Lord, Lord Butler of Brockwell, for bringing this important debate to the House. At a time when the integrity and professionalism of our civil servants is under…28 Nov 2024HANSARDWalesDoes my noble friend agree that the record settlement for the Welsh Government at the Budget—£1.5 billion, the largest since the dawn of devolution—will provide a much-needed…26 Nov 2024HANSARDAutumn Budget 2024I welcome this Budget, which represents a fundamental transformation in our nation’s fiscal priorities. After 14 years of Conservative government that has impacted profoundly…11 Nov 2024HANSARDWales: Public ServicesMy Lords, the Minister in the Welsh Government said after the Budget: “It is clear the Chancellor is listening to what Wales needs. I look forward to working with the UK…05 Nov 2024HANSARDCommunity and Voluntary SectorMy Lords, I am delighted to speak in this debate, called by my noble friend Lady Morgan of Drefelin, whom I congratulate. I also congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Porter, on…31 Oct 2024HANSARDInstitute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [HL]My Lords, I am delighted to speak at the Second Reading of this Bill. It gives me the first opportunity to welcome my noble friend the Minister to her place. I should have had…22 Oct 2024HANSARDEducation Sector: Equality of OpportunityTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote equality of opportunity in the education sector, particularly in schools.17 Oct 2024HANSARDPublic LibrariesThe proposed multiyear funding settlements for local authorities from the Government are most welcome. They should enable councils to make more strategic plans for services. The…12 Sept 2024HANSARDHousing: Modern Methods of ConstructionMy Lords, the Government have promised 1.5 million new homes for England over the next five years, which will see the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a…05 Sept 2024HANSARDHigh-speed Rail Services: West Coast Main LineMy Lords, notwithstanding the issues in train services to the north of England, can my noble friend the Minister say whether the department could also look at the constant…04 Sept 2024HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, some of my first words in this debate are in my native tongue. “Croeso mawr”—a huge welcome—to so many things in the manifesto of a Labour Government relating to the…23 Jul 2024HANSARDSchool Funding: Special Educational NeedsMy Lords, research has found that children from the most disadvantaged areas are less likely to be identified with SEND and that they face higher thresholds for accessing support.…23 May 2024HANSARDUniversities: Financial SustainabilityMy Lords, the system is not working for students or universities. The issue with the Office for Students is clear, and the Government have worn down relationships with…21 May 2024HANSARDSkills: Importance for the UK Economy and Quality of LifeMy Lords, it is always a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Addington. He always speaks with such engagement on this topic. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Aberdare, for…09 May 2024HANSARDPort Talbot SteelworksWe are proud of our steel sector in Wales: it is an asset for the whole of the UK, so this closure is devastating news. Yesterday, in the other place, the Minister said that the…01 May 2024HANSARDHigher Education: Arts and HumanitiesMy Lords, the Government indicated that they would publish a cultural education plan by the end of last year, but they have given no commitment on a date for publishing. If they…01 May 2024