Plan 2 Student Loans: Repayment Terms
Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
The noble Lord refers to a complex situation, and it would be completely wrong of me to make any suggestion about changing interest rates or methods of repayment. But of course, all these matters are under consideration in such an important subject.
Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall (Lab)
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that is quite difficult to determine the value of certain kinds of degree course if the only measure used is what you can earn after you have completed them? Would she further agree that there are some sectors which are extremely important to the health of our economy and our general well-being, such as the arts and the cultural sector, in which it is pretty difficult to earn very high salaries, but the value of the people who are in those sectors is worth appreciating just as much?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I absolutely support my noble friend’s view of the value of a university education; it cannot always be measured in monetary success. But obviously, the outcomes of students going to different institutions is a measure that is looked at—how many of them get into employment, what that employment is and whether they go on to further training. It is true that there are some narrowly held preconceived views about the value of some courses that actually do an enormous amount, not only for the well-being of the students but for the economy and well-being of the country.
Special Educational Needs: Dyscalculia
Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I think it fair to say that the Government do not have immediate plans to change this. We want to make sure that all special needs are recognised and given the same exposure and understanding, so that the needs of the whole child can be considered. Obviously, certain conditions run alongside others, and we must make sure that we are not too narrow in our approach, but that is not to underestimate the amount of support that we know these children and young people need.
Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall (Lab)
My Lords, my noble friend may not have had a chance to read an article in yesterday’s Times by Dr Tanya Byron, who, as many people will be aware, is an expert in this area. It discussed the psychological impact of this sort of developmental disorder on young children as they move from primary to secondary education, where very different challenges are presented to them. I commend the Government for the work they are doing in the SEND area; it is very difficult and complicated. However, does my noble friend accept that if these needs are not identified and addressed, they can give rise to other problems of a more behavioural nature, which are just as challenging to deal with if they are left unaddressed?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
My noble friend touches on a really important issue, that of transition to different stages of education, when too many children and young people are extremely vulnerable. It is a broad area—the whole idea of rolling out restorative practice throughout schools, so that there is a much better understanding of behaviour, what has triggered it, and what support can be given. Too many young people have been let down when an assumption has been made that their bad behaviour is due to their personality, rather than any particular condition they might be facing.
Smart Motorways
Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall and Baroness Blake of Leeds(1 month, 2 weeks ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
The raw facts of the cost of collisions and fatal and serious injuries in this country are staggering. It is estimated that over £3.1 billion was spent on medical and ambulance costs due to collisions on our roads last year alone. That is a crucial issue, and of course the lithium battery issue is an important one for our fire and emergency services. There is a lot of misinformation around this space, and it would be useful to have the latest figures updated to see how the fire and emergency departments are coping with that.
Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall (Lab)
My Lords, given what my noble friend has just said about the cost of road accidents, particularly accidents on motorways, is she confident that the standards now expected of new drivers and the way in which they are examined ensure that people behave on motorways in ways that are likely to minimise the risk of accidents? It would probably be the observation of some of us that driving standards on motorways have deteriorated quite significantly over recent years, and in the end, it is mostly human beings that cause accidents.