"My Lords, this Budget makes history for the wrong reason. It is the first ever Budget to place a tax on education in our country.
Over the years, all Governments have regarded education as being so invaluable to individuals and society alike that nothing should ever be done to obstruct …..." Lord Lexden - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in implementing the measures set out in the Command Paper Safeguarding the Union (CP 1021), published in January...." Lord Lexden - View Speech
"My Lords, is it not the case that the Command Paper rests upon a principle that everyone should welcome and endorse—namely, that the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland should be as strong and successful as possible? The measures set out in the Command Paper to strengthen the UK …..." Lord Lexden - View Speech
"My Lords, Divisions are expected in the Chamber this afternoon. The Committee will adjourn as soon as the Division Bells are rung and will resume after 10 minutes...." Lord Lexden - View Speech
"Should we not all be grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Hacking, who has sent a very thorough report to the Prime Minister, showing the dire consequences that the Government’s education tax will have? Is it not time that the Government realised that their education tax—the first in our history—is …..." Lord Lexden - View Speech
"My Lords, I declare my interest as a former general secretary of the Independent Schools Council and the current president of the Independent Schools Association, one of the council’s constituent bodies. Its 670 members—which are generally small in size, with great strengths in special needs, bilingual teaching and the performing …..." Lord Lexden - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the implications of levying VAT on independent schools with effect from 1 January 2025...." Lord Lexden - View Speech
"My Lords, noble Lords may recall the debate that we had on this in January. Did that not confirm and strengthen the conviction long held in all parts of this House that the seven unresolved allegations against Sir Edward Heath, to which this Question refers, should be subject to independent …..." Lord Lexden - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they will appoint an independent legal expert to review the seven allegations of child sex abuse against Sir Edward Heath left unresolved at the end of Operation Conifer in 2017...." Lord Lexden - View Speech