Schools Bill – Special Educational Needs (SEN) & Disabilities Amendments

The Schools Bill is making it’s way through Parliament. The aim of the bill is to “improve the school system” and deals with the regulation of Academies and independent educational institutions, school and local education funding and school attendance. One of the most devastating problems with schools is that they are not delivering the best outcomes for …

UK Cash Network – Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to designate the United Kingdom’s cash network as Critical National Infrastructure, and (2) to introduce a Universal Service Obligation for the provision of cash. My Lords, does my noble friend agree that, whether for the financial inclusion of individuals or the overall resilience of the …

COP 26: Disabled Access – Question

Chris tabled an oral question – “to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to undertake an inquiry into the reasons why the COP26 summit venue did not provide equal access for people with disabilities; and what steps they are taking to ensure that similar events in future are accessible to all.” In his …

Autonomous Weapons Systems – Question

My Lords, I declare my technology interests as set out in the register. Does my noble friend agree that, whether in safety or security, the public good or economic growth, the UK has a unique opportunity for the development and deployment of ethical AI? Further, does she agree that we urgently need public debate and …

Rural Poverty – Question

My Lords, what are the Government planning to do to increase the extent and pace of the rollout of broadband and 5G to rural areas, and in terms of its reliability and capacity once the service is in? Does my noble friend agree that connectivity is critical for rural areas’ economic, social, psychological and community …

Horizon Europe – Question

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that, as so many of the issues and opportunities we face are global in nature, we need to look to all our international partners and friends across Europe and the Commonwealth and right around the world for research connections and collaborations? International research collaboration is the brightest, best …

England: Historic Counties – Question

My Lords, would my noble friend agree that our historic counties have a critical role to play in the levelling-up agenda, with their proximity to the people and as an enabler of local identity? Has he ever had the opportunity to visit Worcestershire county cricket ground—surely one of the loveliest spots in the world to …