"My Lords, there is no disguising the scale of the economic challenges facing our country, and the Budget had commendable clarity in its central objectives: tackling the high cost of living, which has hit so many families so hard; maintaining the investment in our economy and our public services, which …..." Lord Barber of Ainsdale - View Speech
"My Lords, I rise to move this amendment on behalf of my noble friend Lord Woodley, who is a little unwell today. Amendments 77 and 135 are in his name.
As a lifelong trade unionist, I have seen too often the damaging impact that privatisation can have on public services; …..." Lord Barber of Ainsdale - View Speech
"I thank my noble friend the Minister for his response. On Amendment 77, I noticed that he placed proper emphasis on payback to our communities from the unpaid work we are discussing, but I would hope that proper consideration is also given to payback to prisoners who face this form …..." Lord Barber of Ainsdale - View Speech
"My Lords, I also support these amendments on the right of asylum seekers to work, and in particular Amendment 45, which makes the eminently reasonable proposal for there to be opportunities to review the evidence, if necessary year on year, on the impact of the current policy and the case …..." Lord Barber of Ainsdale - View Speech
"My Lords, I have been asked by my long-standing friend and TUC colleague, my noble friend Lord Monks, of Blackley, to contribute to this debate. My noble friend Lord Monks is unable to be present today due to family reasons, and what follow are his remarks, which I am pleased …..." Lord Barber of Ainsdale - View Speech
"Do shareholders get an opt-out facility from political donations that the company is making on behalf of the owners of the company?..." Lord Barber of Ainsdale - View Speech
"My Lords, this is an issue with a long history. In 1909 the Osborne judgment ruled that trade unions could not legally use their general funds for political purposes. Subsequently, the Trade Union Act 1913 was passed by the Liberal Government led by HH Asquith to allow trade unions to …..." Lord Barber of Ainsdale - View Speech
"Will the noble Baroness permit an intervention? As my noble friend Lord Prentis mentioned, there are 48 unions affiliated to the TUC; 13 of them also affiliate, subscribe and contribute to the funding of the Labour Party, and 35 do not. Most of those 35 have a political fund which …..." Lord Barber of Ainsdale - View Speech
"My Lords, I have Amendment 322 in this group, which requires the Secretary of State, after the establishment of the new arrangements to deliver fair pay in the social care sector, to set out a timetable and process for an assessment of whether this approach could deliver similar benefits in …..." Lord Barber of Ainsdale - View Speech