Independent Football Regulator

Debate between Baroness Lloyd of Effra and Lord Razzall

Wednesday 28th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

I cannot agree with that. State of the Game underlines the need for reform, the parlous state of the financial sustainability, the governance failings and the systemic resilience of the game, and it underlines the need for action. The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope. It has three objectives and it needs the resources to operate as it does, but it will do so in the most efficient and expedient way.

[Lord Razzall (LD)]

My Lords, in the light of the Minister’s answer on the earlier question, will she confirm that this means that the Government and the Prime Minister will not attempt to intervene in the Manchester City story that the noble Lord, Lord Londesborough, mentioned, thereby avoiding the resignation of the regulator?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The case involving Manchester City is an independent process concerning a breach of the Premier League’s rules. It is not for the Government to intervene, particularly as we know that an independent commission is currently considering the appeal lodged by Manchester City Football Club.

Business Hiring

Debate between Baroness Lloyd of Effra and Lord Razzall

Monday 1st June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

I do not accept the characterisation presented. We recognise there is a crisis of participation, and Alan Milburn’s interim report clearly laid out many of the contributing factors in health and education, which have been there for many years. Under the previous Government between 2021 and 2024, the number of young NEETs increased by 250,000. This is an issue that we are tackling. As I mentioned, in Q1 of 2026 the economy was one of the fastest-growing in the G7. We are taking actions on youth employment, supporting young people to get into work, supporting them with work experience, training and apprenticeships. This is exactly what we need to do in these circumstances.

[Lord Razzall (LD)]

My Lords, in a slightly calmer vein than the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, can I ask whether the Minister is aware that the ONS Labour Force Survey flash figures for April show a 100,000 reduction in payroll numbers? Does she think that this indicates that, as the year goes on, there will be an increase in unemployment, or does she think—as is so often the case—the ONS has got it wrong?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

I do not know that my commenting on forecasts will necessarily add to the discussion. I am happy to talk about the actions we are taking to support the economy and young people especially to increase activity and get the experience they need to secure good jobs today and for the future. That is why we set out our modern industrial strategy and why we are supporting young people getting into training and apprenticeships. We have reformed the apprenticeship levy into a growth and skills levy to make it more attuned to the needs of business so that those young people can get jobs today.