Contributions
162 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWelfare Reforms and Youth UnemploymentMy Lords, I very much welcome the opportunity in this debate to explore why youth unemployment is so high in our education system. It is deplorable that we have 1 million young…11 Jun 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMy Lords, this House has debated assisted dying this century on nine occasions, first in 2003 and then in 2005. There are very few members in the House today who spoke in those…24 Apr 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillI understand what the noble and learned Baroness is saying, but the police have decided very clearly what their position is. Between 2009 and 2025, 199 cases were referred to the…24 Apr 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillI recognise that there is that power, but it is very rarely used. That is the point I have been making all the time. Juries will not convict. This has happened before in our…24 Apr 2026HANSARDIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) BillBefore the noble Lord sits down, can I ask him about SMEs?12 Mar 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillI support the Motion in the name of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer, because I remember debates in this House on assisted dying over 20 or 25 years ago—the noble…08 Jan 2026HANSARDGraduate JobsMy Lords, instead of finding jobs for graduates, we should be trying to persuade more 18 year-olds not to go to university. In the colleges that I support, 25% of our leavers…06 Jan 2026HANSARDYoung People not in Work, Education or TrainingMy Lords, I thank the Minister for visiting two university technical colleges, where she saw colleges which had a NEET unemployment rate of under 2%, compared to the rate of a…08 Dec 2025HANSARDCurriculum and Assessment ReviewJust how long will this take? Will the Back-Benchers ever get in?10 Nov 2025HANSARDCurriculum and Assessment ReviewMy Lords, I congratulate the Minister and the Government on accepting the major recommendation of the Becky Francis report, which was to remove the EBacc curriculum that was…10 Nov 2025HANSARDCurriculum and Assessment ReviewI am going to sit down in a moment.10 Nov 2025HANSARDCurriculum and Assessment ReviewSome of the long speeches we hear are not from the Back Benches but from the Front Benches, if I may say so. The only comment I will make is that the Government have in fact…10 Nov 2025HANSARDJobs MarketMy Lords—13 Oct 2025HANSARDJobs MarketDoes the Minister appreciate that her Chief Whip opened by asking for shorter answers?13 Oct 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMy Lords, this is the third time in my life that I have spoken in this House on assisted dying. The first time was over 20 years ago, when it was not very prominent at all. I have…12 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I very strongly support the amendment from my noble friend Lord Blunkett. I call him a friend because we have both borne the same responsibilities in the past and it…10 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI thank the noble Lord, Lord Blunkett, for getting such a speedy response from the Minister. It is almost unknown. It gives me the opportunity to congratulate the Minister on…10 Sept 2025HANSARDData (Use and Access) Bill [HL]My Lords, I warmly congratulate the noble Baroness on her determination and consistency in promoting this cause. It is very worth while, and, as she said, she is the spokesperson…04 Jun 2025HANSARDData (Use and Access) Bill [HL]My Lords, this is the first time I have spoken on this measure, because I had assumed that, after the Bill had gone to the House of Commons, it would accept the arguments that…02 Jun 2025HANSARDPupil AbsenteeismIs the Minister aware that many 13 and 14 year-olds who do not turn up on two days a week do not want to go back to a school where they will have to study just eight academic…07 May 2025