Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jo Swinson and Mark Menzies

Thursday 26th February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Jo Swinson]

I very much welcome the hon. Lady setting out her constituent’s campaign, and I will be happy to look at it as it sounds excellent. We all agree that tackling homophobic bullying must be a real priority for the reasons that she outlined in her question, and because of the impact that it has on LGBT young people, and indeed other young people, as this issue also affects those who are not LGBT.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

Homophobic bullying in schools is completely unacceptable. Will the Minister ensure that Ofsted is getting the message through to head teachers and schools that they must do everything in their power to eradicate that wicked thing?

[Jo Swinson]

The short answer is yes, and the national professional qualification for headship contains information on how to tackle bullying, including homophobic bullying.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jo Swinson and Mark Menzies

Thursday 21st March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Jo Swinson]

The short answer is yes. The hon. Gentleman is quite right to say that consumer awareness is vital. Some of the people who take out such loans would be much better off with an entirely different financial product. That is why advertising is such an important element in tackling the issue. The Government are working with the Advertising Standards Authority and we will also work with the Financial Conduct Authority, which will take over those powers from next year, to ensure that we clamp down on advertising that misleads people and lures them into taking out products that are not right for them.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

T8. The north-west is at the heart of Britain’s aerospace industry, and I welcome this week’s announcement of the £2 billion aerospace technology institute. May I urge the Minister to consider the Warton enterprise zone in my constituency as a potential location for it?