"My Lords, I am grateful to have the opportunity today to respond to concerns raised by noble Lords and to clarify areas of misunderstanding, including in some of the analysis during this debate. The question of how schools use restrictive interventions, including physical restraint and seclusion, goes to the heart …..." Baroness Smith of Malvern - View Speech
I recognise the excellent maiden speeches we have heard. My noble friend Lady Nargund vividly described her and her family’s journey from south-west India and her family’s history of struggle, which I have no doubt will inform her contributions to our House. …..." Baroness Smith of Malvern - View Speech
"My noble friend makes a very important point. I went to university without a student loan, but I was part of only 14% of young people who were able to benefit from higher education. That figure now stands at more than 50%, and we need a student finance system that …..." Baroness Smith of Malvern - View Speech
"I wonder whether the noble Earl has had the opportunity to discuss with some of his colleagues whether they believe that the system that they introduced is a scam. This is a system that was introduced by the previous Government. Plan 2 is no longer in operation for students starting …..." Baroness Smith of Malvern - View Speech
"I am afraid that I do not agree with the noble Baroness that reducing the numbers of people who can benefit from higher education is the most effective way to address this issue, although I agree that we need to address the cost of living crisis that current students face. …..." Baroness Smith of Malvern - View Speech
"I strongly agree with my noble friend’s comments. I recognise the enormous contribution that a previous Labour Government made through Jennie Lee with the establishment of the Open University—and the contribution that the Open University has made in the last 60 years to enable people to learn in a way …..." Baroness Smith of Malvern - View Speech
"My Lords, the post-16 White Paper sets out our plan for giving people of all ages the skills and knowledge that they need to succeed and we need in order to develop a workforce that supports growth and national renewal. Through a range of policies and reforms across government, including …..." Baroness Smith of Malvern - View Speech
"It is important that we introduce the lifelong learning entitlement in a relatively restricted way, enabling us to build for the future. The key requirements, which I was addressing yesterday, are to provide flexibility for students at levels 4, 5 and 6. Those are the first priorities that we have …..." Baroness Smith of Malvern - View Speech
"I am very happy to write to the noble Baroness, and I am kicking myself for not knowing the numbers which will be in a position to offer modular provision in January 2027. We have taken quite a careful approach to ensuring that those which are able to do that …..." Baroness Smith of Malvern - View Speech