Education (Environment and Sustainable Citizenship) Bill [HL]

Debate between Lord Brougham and Vaux and Lord Bhatia

2nd reading
Friday 16th July 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bhatia (Non-Afl) [V]]

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Knight, and support him in introducing this Bill. The Bill will amend Section 78 of the 2002 Education Act to include a general provision for education on the environment and sustainable citizenship. It will require maintained and nursery schools to follow a curriculum that

“instils an ethos and ability to care for oneself, others and the natural environment, for … future generations”.

The Bill stipulates that the Secretary of State’s guidance must ensure that pupils learn about the impact of human behaviour on the natural environment and the impact of the natural environment on human beings. I ask the Minister whether sufficient financial support, resources and qualified teachers will be made available at all stages of schooling.

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Brougham and Vaux) (Con)]

The noble Baroness, Lady Massey, has withdrawn so I call the noble Lord, Lord Austin of Dudley.

Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020

Debate between Lord Brougham and Vaux and Lord Bhatia

Tuesday 3rd November 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bhatia (Non-Afl) [V]]

The main legal framework for government procurement is the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, implementing directives from 2014 to 2024 in the UK. The defence and security directive introduced a tailored regime for the procurement of defence and security requirements. Those requirements are important—it is important that all procurements are made with proper tendering processes. There is a need to ensure that we do not end up giving defence procurement contracts to organisations that could jeopardise our defences. I support this regulation, as the defence of our country is paramount.

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Brougham and Vaux) (Con)]

The noble Baroness, Lady Smith of Newnham, should unmute herself.