US Tariff on UK Films
Debate between Lord Forsyth of Drumlean and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
My Lords, the film sector is, as my noble friend says, a key part of the UK’s world-class creative industries and, as such, we are committed to ensuring that it continues to grow and create good jobs across the UK. Inward investment is vital, and we will work with international partners to continue to build on current successes. Supporting our domestic sector is equally important, and we will, as my noble friend asks, soon publish our creative industries sector plan to set up further support for the film industry and the wider creative industries, including increased support from the British Business Bank to access finance.
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)
My Lords, I congratulate the Government on their calm approach, but will the Minister take this opportunity to acknowledge that none of this—the defence of the film industry and other industries—would be possible were it not for the fact that we had left the European Union?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I am not sure where to start with that one, to be quite honest. I think we have heard all the way through the difficulties that the Brexit agreement has left our creative industries with. I cannot subscribe to the opinion that the noble Lord has put forward. These are indeed interesting times. When I woke up this morning and heard the news about an announcement later today—sometimes you feel like putting your head back under the duvet. But there you go. The noble Lord is entitled to his opinion, but it is not one that we share.
Carer’s Allowance: Repayments
Debate between Lord Forsyth of Drumlean and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I think it is absolutely right that proportionality is at the centre of this. We have to respect DWP officials to make sure that they look at the way this is handled and make sure every single case is dealt with fairly and in a sympathetic way. We have already heard today about the cliff-edge principle, which has already caused difficulties for carers, and we need to make sure, as far as we possibly can, that they have all the information, as well as regular review of their cases, to make sure people do not fall into this position again.
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)
My Lords, we were all moved by the campaign of the leader of the Liberal Democrats on carers and caring during the election campaign. I seem to recall there was a suggestion that a Labour Government would introduce a royal commission on social care and caring. What has happened to that idea? Unless we can get all-party agreement—we have had endless reports about this—and some action, this problem will continue. It is central to dealing with the problems of the health service, which the Government have said is broken.
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for his question. I think it is appropriate that we wait. We are only very shortly into this Government. Let us wait for the relevant departments to announce how it is going to take this forward. I look forward to his input when the work in progress is announced.