"My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Taylor of Bolton, and her committee for their report and the thoughtful way in which they have approached the subject, on which there are, unsurprisingly, strongly held views. There is much in the report that I agree with: membership of this House …..." Baroness Smith of Llanfaes - View Speech
"My Lords, first, I welcome the Government’s decision to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year-olds. Young people already contribute to our society and have a direct stake in the future, shaped by political decisions made today. Expanding the franchise strengthens our democracy by ensuring that more people have …..." Baroness Smith of Llanfaes - View Speech
"My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Oates, for introducing the Bill and for giving the House the opportunity to consider, once again, the future of youth justice. The noble Lord’s intentions are entirely understandable, as set out in his opening remarks. We all want a youth justice system …..." Baroness Smith of Llanfaes - View Speech
"My Lords, I welcome the establishment of No. 10 in the north of England. If the Government agree that centralisation in London is a problem, should the answer not be to strengthen devolution across these islands, giving the Governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland the powers and resources to …..." Baroness Smith of Llanfaes - View Speech
"My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett, for bringing forward this Bill and for her long-standing commitment to environmental protection and climate justice.
I draw the House’s attention to an Early Day Motion tabled in the other place this May, entitled “National Emergency”, sponsored by Members from the …..." Baroness Smith of Llanfaes - View Speech
"My Lords, unlike Scotland, which has taken on significant social security powers and used them directly to address child poverty in Scotland, Wales has limited control over the welfare system. Does the Minister agree with the principle of Gordon Brown’s report that nothing that is devolved to Scotland could not …..." Baroness Smith of Llanfaes - View Speech
"My Lords, I cannot disagree with what the noble Baroness, Lady Dacres, just shared with us. Particularly, I think that this House and the other place have welcomed many women who have come through the Jo Cox programme, and that has made our politics much better and richer.
"My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Lister, for bringing forward this important debate.
Few issues test the conscience more directly than child poverty. Across the UK today, around 4.5 million children are growing up in poverty. In Wales, around 31% of children are living in relative …..." Baroness Smith of Llanfaes - View Speech
"My Lords, I welcome the publication of the youth justice system reform and delivery plan. In particular, I welcome the announcement of an expanded and clearly defined role for the Welsh Government, in recognition of the fact that the context has changed considerably in Wales since the current arrangements were …..." Baroness Smith of Llanfaes - View Speech
"My Lords, I begin by recognising an important democratic moment in Wales: 11 days ago, Plaid Cymru secured the largest number of votes that any party has ever received in Wales, leading to the formation of the first Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government. I hope the Minister responding to the debate …..." Baroness Smith of Llanfaes - View Speech