"My Lords, I disagree with the noble Lord, Lord Pannick. We did not debate an impact assessment. We need a proper government impact assessment for this clause before it is made law. There are foreseeable consequences to taking down important guardrails within our abortion law for the sake of a …..." Lord Farmer - View Speech
"I would prefer to get a move on so that everybody is happy that this comes to an end. Have we forgotten that hard cases make bad law and public policy should be a consideration? Knowing that she aborted a perfectly viable baby can haunt a woman for years. Even …..." Lord Farmer - View Speech
"My Lords, I support my noble friend Lord Polak in his Amendment 7.
It is now rightly impossible for any public discussion of the Epstein files and grooming gangs—or rather child rape gangs—not to put victims front and centre. About a year ago, we were discussing child rape gangs in …..." Lord Farmer - View Speech
"My Lords, the better futures social outcomes fund was announced in the child poverty strategy, with government payments tied to the achievement of measurable improvements in people’s lives, such as increased family stability. Family breakdown can be a driver, as well as an effect, of poverty. Can the Minister explain …..." Lord Farmer - View Speech
"I speak in support of amendments on behalf of my noble friend Lady Maclean of Redditch, who unfortunately cannot be in her place at this hour on a Friday afternoon. I refer to Amendments 445, 483A, 495B and 941A. First, Amendment 445 would require the panel to consider signs of …..." Lord Farmer - View Speech
"My Lords, it is always a privilege to follow the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, and to be part of a debate where we have five maiden speeches, three of which have taken place and were very impressive. I add my welcome to the five new noble Lords. I look forward …..." Lord Farmer - View Speech
"My Lords, I support the amendment tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Coffey. I am going to talk about my sister, whom I asked before she died whether I could bring her case before your Lordships. She said yes, so I have.
"My Lords, given the scale of additional public expenditure involved, and while recognising that welfare policy will not be the primary driver of migration, what steps are the Government taking to ensure that lifting the two-child limit does not inadvertently act as a pull factor for economic migrants to present …..." Lord Farmer - View Speech
"Well, they are not. Many of us have not been parliamentarians for long, and we have not been at the right schools that have debating societies. If we want to say something important for the good of the common—..." Lord Farmer - View Speech