Employment: Artificial Intelligence

Debate between Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway and Baroness Lloyd of Effra

Monday 13th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The noble Viscount is right that we have a programme of work looking at digital replicas. We will be consulting on that. The fact that there are many who are affected by this—musicians, politicians and everyday citizens—means that it is an extensive piece of work. I will take back his question on the precise remit of this consultation and reply to him.

[Baroness O’Grady of Upper Holloway (Lab)]

My Lords, my noble friend the Minister is right that skills are critical, and the launch of the AI skills hub is welcome, with its focus on providing free training for 10 million workers. However, is she aware of reports that the majority of courses on the hub charge fees and that some are tied to particular products? Will she agree to monitor the quality of courses on the hub, alongside unions and educational professionals, to ensure that workers get the training they need?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

I will indeed do what my noble friend suggests and make sure that we look at the quality of the courses that are available. They are provided in concert with a large number of providers who are developing these courses to support their workers and are extending them to other workers, in particular SMEs, because we know that SMEs and other workers are those who most need to adopt AI and who may be currently lagging in this country.

Self-employed: Paternity Leave

Debate between Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway and Baroness Lloyd of Effra

Wednesday 20th May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The noble Lord is right to draw attention to the importance of fathers and mothers, the whole family unit and kinship carers in nurturing families, and the role of families in our communities. The review is wide-ranging. It is considering all existing entitlements and is looking at the implications for economic growth, labour market participation, maternal health and the best start in life. I am sure it will also look at the uptake of existing measures as well as potential extensions to entitlements, on top of what is already in place.

[Baroness O’Grady of Upper Holloway (Lab)]

My Lords, it is nearly a year since the Women and Equalities Committee recommended the introduction of a paternal allowance for self-employed working fathers and other parents, similar to the maternity allowance for self-employed mothers. The committee also said that the lack of any provision for self-employed working dads was “deeply unfair”. Do the Government agree?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The Government agree that more can be done to improve the system. The review is looking at the extension of entitlement to potential support for self-employed fathers as well as others in this quite complex system. We are looking at how we can take that forward. The review will conclude early in 2027 with findings and the next steps for reform.