Evaluation in Government Policy-making

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Twycross

Monday 18th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I welcome the noble Baroness to her place. I look forward to working with her in her new role. We see the Evaluation Task Force as a key element of our work, and we are planning to launch the evaluation registry in spring 2025 so that the public can get the transparency they deserve.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that the consideration of the previous Government to ban onshore wind generation is something that would have benefited from such an Evaluation Task Force?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

My noble friend makes a really interesting point. Had the previous Government evaluated the potential benefit of the scheme, they would have found that the policy they pursued damaged our energy security and led to higher bills for both consumers and businesses.

Procurement Act 2023

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Twycross

Tuesday 15th October 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I absolutely and wholeheartedly refute the noble Baroness’s suggestion. I would also note that, last week, I was criticised for continuing with measures announced by the previous Government and this week I am being criticised for their delay. I hope that noble Lords from across the House agree that we should look at such matters on a case-by-case basis to ensure that this country gets back on the stable footing it needs and deserves.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, will the Minister give a complete assurance that this Government will not introduce a VIP lane which gives preference to Conservatives and their colleagues? Will she also give an assurance that the Government will appoint a Covid corruption commissioner as soon as possible?

European Union

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Twycross

Monday 7th October 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that it is the policy of the current Government to deal with individual countries in the European Union, and indeed the European Union as an institution, with warmth rather than a touch of frost?

[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.

Ticket Sales: Dynamic Pricing

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Twycross

Wednesday 11th September 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

There is an ongoing investigation by the CMA and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specifics of the case. However, we need to look into whether there might be a different pricing system.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, further to the mischievous suggestion made opposite that there might have been some preference for the Government on this matter, can the Minister confirm that, unlike for Covid, there was no VIP lane?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I am fairly confident. I am humble enough not to count myself as somebody who would have access to that. There were, however, VIP tickets, which were way beyond my means.

Horseracing and Bloodstock Industries

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Twycross

Monday 29th July 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

Most people gamble without issue, but we recognise the huge impact that harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families. As the noble Lord states, however, there is a difference between those who can gamble without issue and those who come to serious harms, both in their lives and those of their families. As stated in the Government’s manifesto, we are absolutely committed to strengthening protections for those at risk. The Gambling Commission’s new survey which came out last week really helps to show the wider picture of gambling behaviour across Great Britain, and we will consider its findings very carefully.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, I am mystified again. With all the knowledge on that side, with the former Member for the South Downs and the noble Baroness, Lady Harding, who is—what is she in the Jockey Club?