Contributions
920 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBusiness ConfidenceMy noble friend is of course entirely correct. As long as we are all pulling on the rope in the same direction, we can achieve great things. Even the CBI appears occasionally to…28 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness ConfidenceI do have confidence. I am wearing my summer suit right now, but I also have an umbrella. Looking to the year ahead, it is important to recognise that some serious negotiations…28 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020The important thing to stress is that the EU has not yet determined Horizon Europe and the most important sticking point remains the budget. It is the Government’s commitment to…27 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020Yes.27 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020The noble Lord is correct. In a number of areas the UK is a global leader; in others it is the US. We have a number of the leading journals on science and other subjects. In terms…27 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020This Government intend to continue with an association agreement. Science is vital and it must therefore be worked on with the best possible collaboration. That is our ambition.…27 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020I always believe that those best equipped to lead should lead, whether that be within the EU or across the wider globe. There has been a decline in our participation, and that is…27 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020The noble Lord is right. The fund is based on excellence. British scientists are excellent and we therefore get significant benefit from the programme. We collaborate at the…27 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020It is difficult to comment on specific collaborations but I stress that British scientists and academics and our university system are all excellent. Collaboration is therefore of…27 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020The noble Lord is absolutely right. We have been very clear thus far that we wish to participate going forward. The nature of the association agreement will be subject to those…27 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020The noble Lord makes an interesting point. He will recall that when Horizon 2020 was being negotiated this time seven years ago a significant effort was made by the EU to cut the…27 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020My Lords, the terms of the withdrawal agreement mean that the UK will continue to participate in EU programmes financed by the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework until…27 Jan 2020HANSARDHorizon 2020My noble friend is absolutely right. We have been a vital participant in the Horizon programmes and their predecessor framework programmes. There is no doubt that going forward…27 Jan 2020HANSARDGift VouchersMy noble friend is correct. It is a challenge when we live in an internet age that connects the global marketplace in a competitive sense with smaller businesses on the high…22 Jan 2020HANSARDGift VouchersThe noble Lord clearly has kind friends who give him Greggs vouchers and Waterstones vouchers: food for the heart and for the mind. At present, some £300 million in gift vouchers…22 Jan 2020HANSARDGift VouchersPart of the problem with the experience voucher is that it is often specific and limited within a given season or period. I suspect that skydiving is more limited to the summer…22 Jan 2020HANSARDGift VouchersI must admit that since my grandparents passed away, I have not received a postal order. I am aware that the challenge is that the gift voucher is often given but the details are…22 Jan 2020HANSARDGift VouchersI do indeed offer sympathy to the noble Lord for his heartfelt pain in this regard. He is correct: certain voucher providers will, through inactivity, seek to deduct money from…22 Jan 2020HANSARDGift VouchersThat is an interesting idea. I will take it away and give it further thought.22 Jan 2020HANSARDGift VouchersThe logic seems to be there but the reality is that the provider of the voucher cannot add the value to their bottom line—they cannot redeem its value—until either after the…22 Jan 2020