"My Lords, another funding disparity currently planned for the next academic year relates to funding for free meals for students from poorer backgrounds. I strongly welcome the expansion of eligibility for free meals, but, in my experience, teenagers who attend FE colleges are no less hungry than those who attend …..." Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway - View Speech
"My thanks, too, to my noble friend for opening this debate.
My Lords, it seems ironic that some of the very same politicians who framed the falling birth rate as a crisis have also pledged to bring back the two-child benefit cap. Meanwhile, the far right peddles racist conspiracy theories …..." Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway - View Speech
"My Lords, the magnificent parade through Highbury and Holloway on Sunday proved that football can and should be a sport for everyone from every background. But, as we have heard, not just ticket prices but accommodation and travel are pricing out ordinary fans. Will my noble friend the Minister consider …..." Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway - View Speech
"My Lords, is my noble friend the Minister aware of the hard data provided by Patriotic Millionaires, which shows that the strong majority are proud to live in this country, believe that it is patriotic to pay their fair share of tax and, in fact, are prepared to pay a …..." Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway - View Speech
"My Lords, it is nearly a year since the Women and Equalities Committee recommended the introduction of a paternal allowance for self-employed working fathers and other parents, similar to the maternity allowance for self-employed mothers. The committee also said that the lack of any provision for self-employed working dads was …..." Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway - View Speech
"My Lords, ever since the Marmot report, we have known that poor-quality employment is a key driver of lower healthy life expectancy. The Employment Rights Act is a big step forward, but does my noble friend the Minister agree that we need action on asbestos removal from workplaces and public …..." Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway - View Speech
"My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Redwood, and to perhaps offer a slightly different perspective. I declare my interest as a member of the Great British Energy start-up board and my responsibilities around a just transition.
"My Lords, does my noble friend the Minister agree that both the department and the regulator need to focus sharply on the root causes of accidents? They include the fragmentation of safety-critical work on the track...." Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway - View Speech
"My Lords, does my noble friend the Minister agree that conflict in the Middle East underlines the case for ever-stronger relationships with the EU, including on trade? Secondly, does he agree that on industrial strategy, the priority must be protecting plants and jobs? To what extent can we use our …..." Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway - View Speech
"My Lords, both sides of the steel industry have welcomed government plans to speed up grid connections and make it easier for developers to build their own grid connections. All that will help to boost investment. Will my noble friend the Minister commit to regular updates on progress on those …..." Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway - View Speech