Higher Education: Funding

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Baroness Walmsley

Thursday 8th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, that figure varies—I think that my noble friend is referring to the RAB charge—because of macroeconomic factors such as earning potential and, therefore, the ability to repay. It is currently estimated to be around 45%.

[Baroness Walmsley (LD)]

My Lords, how many mortgage lenders are taking student loans into account when considering applications for mortgages?

Domestic Violence

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Baroness Walmsley

Tuesday 25th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Walmsley (LD)]

Would the Minister include footballers in that group of people who should be showing an example?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, I would say that especially footballers have a duty to reflect good behaviour to young adults.

Children: Alcohol Harm

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Baroness Walmsley

Monday 17th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

I said that minimum unit pricing was “under consideration”. It is, and the case of Scotland is being closely watched. On alcohol in forms other than liquid, the rules set a limit of 0.2 litres per kilogram of confection. That is to stop vast quantities of alcohol being put into food. That is the situation as I understand it.

[Baroness Walmsley (LD)]

Is my noble friend the Minister aware that all good PSHE courses contain some alcohol education and should be taught in every school? Does she agree that when children become involved in sport, they become very aware of their bodies’ efficiency and the effect of alcohol and are much less likely to drink more than a minimal amount? Therefore, what are the Government doing to encourage all schools to teach PSHE and children to take part in sport?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

I agree with my noble friend. Good PSHE in schools will certainly refer to that. Schools have a duty to teach children about the harms of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. I fully endorse her point about sport, although that seemed to go out the window with my son when he reached the age of 18.

Child Abuse: Police Investigations

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Baroness Walmsley

Wednesday 29th October 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

It is fair to say that Project Spade—as it was called—was a very regrettable incident, to the extent that the NCA has actually referred itself to the IPCC. There was no excusing what went on there. In terms of who is prioritised, they are the people who proved the most harmful to children. That is how the priority is worked out.

[Baroness Walmsley (LD)]

Will the Minister work across government to ensure that the whole children’s workforce in all sectors are trained to recognise the early signs of child abuse so as to help the police by reducing the need for cases to come before them at all? That will protect children.

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, it is a general duty of those working with children to safeguard them. Certainly every single officer who works in the NCA has a legal duty to safeguard and protect children.