Contributions
53 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArtificial Intelligence: LegislationMy Lords, I am very pleased that Blyth in north-east England has been chosen as the site of a new AI data centre. This represents good investment in training and skills and in…21 Jul 2025HANSARDSocial Mobility: Sutton Trust Opportunity IndexI thank the Minister for her Answer. The opportunity index shines a light on the great disparity of prospective outcomes for children and young people in London and the south-east…22 May 2025HANSARDSocial Mobility: Sutton Trust Opportunity IndexTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Sutton Trust’s Opportunity Index and what steps they are taking to increase opportunities for social mobility…22 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Palmer of Childs Hill, for tabling Amendments 78 and 79, to which I have added my name in support. My comments will be brief. I add my voice…13 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I am glad to speak in this Second Reading. I look forward to the maiden speeches and welcome new Members to your Lordships’ House. Some years ago, I undertook research…27 Mar 2025HANSARDBank Closures: Impact on Rural CommunitiesMy Lords, I thank all noble Lords who are taking part in this short debate and look forward to listening to each of the contributions that they will bring. While this debate has…13 Feb 2025HANSARDBank Closures: Impact on Rural CommunitiesTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of bank closures in the past decade and the impact on people in rural communities.13 Feb 2025HANSARDDomestic Abuse: Victims and SurvivorsMy Lords, homes and relationships should be places where people feel safe and loved but, with Northumbria Police receiving about 115 calls about domestic abuse per day, this is…12 Dec 2024HANSARDSmall Farms and Family BusinessesMy Lords, I begin by paying tribute to the noble Baroness, Lady Cumberlege. I commend her speech and her lifetime of bold interventions. Stretching from the Scottish borders to…12 Dec 2024HANSARDDrug-related Deaths in England and WalesTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of data published by the Office for National Statistics on 23 October indicating that the number of drug-related…26 Nov 2024HANSARDDrug-related Deaths in England and WalesI thank the Minister for her Answer. The ONS data revealed that the north-east has been the English region with the highest proportion of drug-related deaths for the 11th…26 Nov 2024HANSARDNHS: Dentistry ProvisionMy Lords, the Child of the North report, published in September, on the crisis in oral health in children, reported that 20% of children in the north-east have tooth decay in…25 Nov 2024HANSARDAutumn Budget 2024My Lords, I feel my B in GCSE maths is challenging my ability to speak with any fiscal authority in this debate, but I am glad of the opportunity to do so. I offer my…11 Nov 2024HANSARDCommunity and Voluntary SectorMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for bringing this timely debate to your Lordships’ House and I look forward to the maiden speech of the noble Baroness, Lady Porter. I…31 Oct 2024HANSARDRailway 200My Lords, the father of the modern railways, George Stephenson, was born in Wylam in my diocese. The noble Lord, Lord Parkinson, has already referred to the pride that the…31 Oct 2024HANSARDScience and Technology: EconomyMy Lords, I thank the noble Viscount, Lord Stansgate, for bringing this important and timely debate. I look forward to the maiden speech of the noble Baroness, Lady Freeman, and…31 Oct 2024HANSARDEmployment, Education and Training: Young PeopleMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her Answer. The north-east has the highest proportion of young people not in education, employment or training at 15%. What steps are His…29 Oct 2024HANSARDEmployment, Education and Training: Young PeopleTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the number of young people not in employment, education, or training.29 Oct 2024HANSARDSouth Asia: Minority Faith CommunitiesMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, for securing this important debate. I also commend the work of my right reverend friend the Bishop of Winchester, who works…28 Oct 2024HANSARDUnregistered Children’s Homes: FeesMy Lords, at the last count in March 2023, 41% of children’s homes in England were located in the north of England. What steps are the Government taking to provide additional…28 Oct 2024