Contributions
57 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChild Poverty StrategyMy Lords, like many others, I warmly welcome the child poverty strategy; there is much to commend it, such as—to pick one particular aspect—the expansion of free school meals for…02 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentI welcome the Government’s new initiatives in this area, particularly the youth guarantee. Can the Minister tell us how the Government are going to tackle the estimated 500,000…05 Feb 2026HANSARDThe UK’s Demographic FutureMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Hodgson, for his work in bringing together this report and giving us the opportunity to debate it. I add my thanks to him for his…11 Dec 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMy Lords, I too rise to support this amendment with some caution, noting that these are deep waters. I hope that noble Lords will forgive me for pointing out the blindingly…05 Dec 2025HANSARDSudanI am grateful to noble Lords for ignoring the request from my right reverend friend the Bishop of Leeds that this should not be a valedictory debate for him. His contribution to…27 Nov 2025HANSARDBBC LeadershipMy Lords, I have just returned from a visit to a country in west Africa that I know very well, and which has sadly suffered a number of coups in recent years. However, I can…12 Nov 2025HANSARDSecure 16 to 19 Academies BillMy Lords, I rise to speak in support of this Bill, at the encouragement of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Derby, who regrets that she cannot be in her place today. Noble…24 Oct 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillMy Lords, I support this Bill and add my thanks to all those who have engaged so thoroughly in its detail. It has been an important learning experience for me in the processes of…23 Oct 2025HANSARDJobcentres: Staffing LevelsTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the staffing levels within Job Centres.23 Oct 2025HANSARDJobcentres: Staffing LevelsI thank the Minister for her response. A recent BBC article suggested that capacity has been created in jobcentres only by reducing the number and length of appointments. One work…23 Oct 2025HANSARDRape Gangs: National Statutory InquiryMy Lords, the Church of England has in recent years been forced to face up to our own, significant failures in the areas of safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. We were…22 Oct 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillMy Lords, I am pleased to have added my name to this amendment. As this is the first time that I have spoken at this stage, I want to thank the Ministers for their careful…21 Oct 2025HANSARDChild Poverty StrategyMy Lords, my question is also not about the two-child limit, though I am fully supportive of its removal. Can the Minister say something about listening to the voices of children…10 Sept 2025HANSARDTackling Unsustainable DebtMy Lords, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Jubilee 2000 campaign—a remarkable coming together of tens of millions of people from around the world, which led to around…17 Jul 2025HANSARDUniversal Credit: Two-child LimitMy Lords, reference has already been made to the Children’s Commissioner’s report published yesterday, which gives voice to the experiences of children and young people in…09 Jul 2025HANSARDCare Quality Commission: Mental Health Care Waiting TimesMy Lords, in my own city of Leicester, some excellent work is being done with minority-ethnic communities in particular to help with access to mental health services.…08 May 2025HANSARDSpring StatementMy Lords, I appreciate the work that the Government are doing to stimulate the economy and to get people back into work. I understand the dilemma that the Government face with the…27 Mar 2025HANSARDBenefits: EligibilityMy Lords, the Government have made clear their ambition to get more people with health conditions and disabilities into work. What plans are in place to ensure employers…09 Jan 2025HANSARDUkraineMy Lords, it is a sad truth that as wars go on, public attention often dissipates. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, and other noble Lords for reminding us that while…25 Oct 2024HANSARDSpecial Educational NeedsMy Lords, as I understand it, the situation for looked-after children—who, as we know, have a much higher proportion of EHCPs and SEND—is that, when they move from one area to…24 Oct 2024