Cultural Education Plan

Lord Bird Excerpts

Tuesday 17th October 2023 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords—

[Lord Bird (CB)]

My Lords, would the Government agree with me when I say—

[Noble Lords]

Order!

[Lord Bird (CB)]

I do not understand.

[Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)]

My Lords, let me explain to the noble Lord. Again, could the noble Lords in question come to a gentlemen’s agreement on who speaks first?

[Lord Bird (CB)]

Do the Government agree with me that one of the best ways of emptying our prisons is by investing in our youngsters who go wrong and using art and culture to bring about social transformation in their lives? I am a living embodiment of that: if it was not for culture in my early years, I would not be here.

[Baroness Barran (Con)]

The noble Lord speaks with great authority on this. I absolutely agree with him that art and culture, as well as other extracurricular activities such as sport and other opportunities, are critical for young people at risk of offending or in prison.