"My Lords, I am quite heartened that the questions from across your Lordships’ House have not descended into an attack on local authorities’ electoral registration officers and their ability to carry out these elections. Many of us in the House tonight have spent years working with those officials and have …..." Lord McNicol of West Kilbride - View Speech
"My Lords, one way to deal with this issue is by the acceleration of the free trade agreements. Under the last Government, we had agreements with New Zealand, Australia and then the CPTPP. Under this Government, we have accelerated those agreements. The Minister mentioned the six Gulf states and the …..." Lord McNicol of West Kilbride - View Speech
"I thank my noble friend the Minister and welcome the clarity and reassurance she has given. Given the concerning new figures on youth unemployment, what steps are being taken to ensure that businesses engage with the meaningful work placements that are envisaged for V-level students, and have His Majesty’s Government …..." Lord McNicol of West Kilbride - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to communicate the purpose and value of the newly introduced V-Levels to students, parents, and employers, to ensure widespread understanding and uptake of these qualifications...." Lord McNicol of West Kilbride - View Speech
"My Lords, I want to agree with one of my noble friend the Minister’s previous answers about opportunity. Yes, there are risks, but the UK is best placed to seize the opportunities that will come forward and the developments that will happen with AI. AI is not going to be …..." Lord McNicol of West Kilbride - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the decline in graduate jobs and the extent to which it is a long-term trend that requires intervention...." Lord McNicol of West Kilbride - View Speech
"My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for her Answer and agree with many of the points she has made. For a number of decades now, Governments of all shades have encouraged school leavers to go to university. I did not. I attended one of the old technical …..." Lord McNicol of West Kilbride - View Speech
"My Lords, I bring to the House my registered interest—I chair the Nuclear Industry Association. We had the recent announcement of the SMR, the small modular reactor, the Rolls-Royce build, going to Wylfa in Wales. Will the Minister join me in welcoming those highly skilled, well-paid and very often trade-unionised …..." Lord McNicol of West Kilbride - View Speech
"My Lords, like others across the House, I welcome Wyn Williams’s first report into this IT scandal, and it is an IT scandal. It is clear from looking at the Green Paper that there are huge historical failings across the Post Office’s management and board—serious cultural failings. How do His …..." Lord McNicol of West Kilbride - View Speech
"My Lords, I start by congratulating the noble Baroness, Lady Verma, on a wonderful introduction to today’s debate. As a Scot who prefers curry to stew and broth, I am quite happy to swap.