"My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that response. Cash retentions—withholding payments due to subcontractors for work done, often for an unreasonable period of time, or indeed for ever—have a highly damaging impact on the ability of small construction firms to invest, expand or even survive, and create …..." Lord Aberdare - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to end the practice of cash retentions in the construction sector...." Lord Aberdare - View Speech
"My Lords, the Minister mentioned taking the views of industry. The Government have been taking the views of industry since the completion of their consultation in 2020. The reason that they have not come to a conclusion is that there is no consensus with the industry. I greatly miss the …..." Lord Aberdare - View Speech
"My Lords, another Friday, another education debate. The more the merrier, in my view, although perhaps not always on Fridays. As a perennial tail-ender, coming so early in the batting order is a rather new experience for me, but one that I welcome.
"My Lords, the theme of today’s debate is about creating opportunities. Nothing could be more important for that than education and skills policies. As the noble Lord, Lord Baker, made clear, none of the aims set out in the King’s Speech and in the Labour manifesto can be achieved without …..." Lord Aberdare - View Speech
"My Lords, I have found this a thoroughly absorbing, enlightening and encouraging debate. I am extremely grateful to all noble Lords who have spoken, from so many different perspectives. I particularly look forward to hearing more in the future from the noble Lords, Lord Marks of Hale and Lord Elliott …..." Lord Aberdare - View Speech
"My Lords, skills are central to the future of our young people and central to the future of our nation. Every one of the main challenges we face depends for its resolution on our having the right skills, now and in the future. Yet it seems to me that we, …..." Lord Aberdare - View Speech
"To move that this House takes note of the importance of skills for the success of the United Kingdom economy and for the quality of life of individuals...." Lord Aberdare - View Speech
"My Lords, I declare my interest as a graduate in classics, or literae humaniores as they were called at Oxford. Studying classics can open doors to a vast range of knowledge and experience, including language learning; grammar and vocabulary; literature and history; scientific, botanical and medical terminology; arts, architecture and …..." Lord Aberdare - View Speech
"My Lords, what are the Government doing to try to close what seems to be an alarmingly growing gap between independent and state schools in the teaching of arts and creative subjects?..." Lord Aberdare - View Speech