No. 10 North

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Earl of Kinnoull

Tuesday 8th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

My noble friend is right, and as the Question identifies, there have clearly been some costs associated with establishing No. 10 North. However, it is important to recognise that this office is going to sit at the centre of this Government’s agenda to deliver economic growth across all our regions. As the First Secretary of State informed the other place last week, it is vital that, to do this, we rewire the state to deliver the change people up and down the country voted for.

[The Earl of Kinnoull (CB)]

My Lords, No. 10 North is approximately 200 miles north of where we are. Perthshire, where I am from, is more than 200 miles further north than that. The north of Scotland is another more than 200 miles north of that. I wondered whether there were any plans to rethink the name “No. 10 North”—it does not feel right to someone who lives 200 miles north of it.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The noble Earl makes a valid point. No. 10 North is in the north of England for the purposes of general geographic designations in this country. On the points he made about Scotland, in making sure that we recalibrate how the state works, including in respect of the devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we will be taking into account the needs of all those areas. We feel that this is a project, a way forward and a way of working that should benefit every part of the country—even those for whom No. 10 North is in the south.

BBC Royal Charter: Gaelic Broadcasting

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Earl of Kinnoull

Thursday 16th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I am not sure that describing it as a residual service does justice to the work of the people working in Gaelic-speaking broadcasting. Historically, we have been clear that this must be for every part of the population that speaks the language. What has happened in Wales—we have had an increase in both Welsh and Gaelic speakers over the last couple of decades—demonstrates the power of investment in making sure that people have got access to the language in every part of the culture, and that must include young people and children.

[The Earl of Kinnoull (CB)]

My Lords, another language in Scotland is Scots. Indeed, Burns wrote roughly half his poetry in in Scots, not least “Address to a Haggis”. Can the Minister tell us whether there will be money directed at the preservation of Scots as a language as well in this process?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

It is interesting, because I put that point to my officials. Noble Lords will need to wait and see as part of the charter review, but if people are campaigning for Scots to get similar recognition, please encourage them to get involved in the discussions around the charter review.

European Union

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Earl of Kinnoull

Monday 7th October 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

Absolutely. I would like to reassure my noble friend that we will do that. As we mark the anniversary of the despicable attacks by Hamas on Israelis, and when we also have war in Europe, a warm and close working relationship with our friends and neighbours is vital.

[The Earl of Kinnoull (CB)]

Left on the cutting room floor throughout the Brexit negotiations was a framework for security and foreign policy co-operation. It was not addressed in either of the big agreements. Can the Minister tell us what the Government’s attitude towards such a framework would be now and whether they are doing anything about it?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

European security is our foreign and defence priority, and that includes a commitment to Ukraine and NATO as an upholder of international law. The Government’s policy is to seek an ambitious new UK-EU security pact, which will strengthen co-operation on the threats we face and enshrine a new geopolitical partnership.