Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

Viscount Stansgate Excerpts

Monday 27th April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash (Con)]

My Lords, I pay tribute to the noble Baroness, Lady Kidron, who really does know what she is talking about. I remember that, during the debates on the now Online Safety Act, it was she who first drew the attention of your Lordships’ House to the dangers of the algorithm, and here we are, so many years later. However, it is the algorithm that must go—the Prime Minister has said it—for children. All that I am asking today is that we focus on that and on stranger contact, which has led to so much child abuse and deaths. That is all.

I thank all noble Lords who have spoken today, including the noble Lord, Lord Hacking, whom I wish well in the future, the noble Baronesses, Lady Benjamin and Lady Kennedy of The Shaws, and the noble Lords, Lord Mohammed and Lord Russell of Liverpool. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Russell, for his comments about other countries; I would add Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, Brazil, the seventh most populous, and many others. Frankly, at the rate we are going, 50% of the world population will have acted on social media before we do anything, which will put our children at a massive economic disadvantage.

The Minister said that my proposals pre-empt the outcome of the consultation but, with the way that I have outlined them today, I do not believe that that is the case. They would allow the experts, including the Chief Medical Officer and the medical royal colleges, to consider the outcome of the consultation in relation to the very limited and focused proposals that I have suggested today. I have listened carefully to the Minister, but, on the basis of what she has said here on the Floor of the House today, I do not sense much movement yet. I must therefore ask the House to agree to Motion A1, and I would like to test the opinion of the House.

[The Deputy Speaker (Viscount Stansgate) (Lab)]

My Lords, I should remind the House that, if Motion A1 is agreed, it will pre-empt Motion A2.

Erasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum Seekers

Viscount Stansgate Excerpts

Thursday 29th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Stansgate (Lab)]

My Lords, with the leave of the House, and with the permission of my noble friend Lady Bakewell, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in her name on the Order Paper.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education and Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Smith of Malvern) (Lab)]

My Lords, the UK has agreed terms to join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. The scope of the programme is set by the European Commission, and diversity and inclusion is a key priority. Erasmus+ dedicates additional support to people with fewer opportunities, which includes people with migrant or refugee backgrounds. Asylum seekers can benefit from a variety of Erasmus+ activities, such as inclusion projects aimed at fostering social integration, virtual exchanges or school twinning.

[Viscount Stansgate (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Like many Members across the House, I hope, I am pleased that the UK’s resumption of participation in Erasmus+ is taking place. I hope that by the summer there will be a website with further information available. Does my noble friend agree that Erasmus+ supports the Government’s opportunities mission by enabling people from a wide range of backgrounds to take part? Can she confirm that participation will enable institutions to collaborate with international partners on areas such as innovation and educational improvement, which will strengthen the UK’s global reputation for education and training?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

Yes, my noble friend is absolutely right. This is an enormously exciting opportunity for learners, for educators, for young people and for our communities. It is an investment in opportunity for our young people, our workforce and our future, opening doors for tens of thousands of people across the UK to benefit from those experiences. As my noble friend says, this includes our ability to learn from, and also share, the enormously important contribution that education makes to this country, to our exports and to our standing in the world.

Pension Schemes Bill

Viscount Stansgate Excerpts

Committee stage
Thursday 22nd January 2026 Grand Committee

Amendment 90 withdrawn

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Viscount Stansgate) (Lab)]

That concludes the business of the Committee today. However, I will say that we have had a distinguished young visitor with us for most of today’s Committee: a school student who is learning about pensions at school. I thank the Committee for presenting such a very good example of the serious way in which this House deals with public Bills. The Committee stands adjourned.

Committee adjourned at 5.04 pm.

Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill

Viscount Stansgate Excerpts

Committee stage
Wednesday 25th June 2025 Grand Committee

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Viscount Stansgate) (Lab)]

I hope the Committee will allow me to express my thanks for the kind words expressed on the birth of my first granddaughter. I wish other grandchildren a successful arrival in the world.

Amendment 124

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