Evaluation in Government Policy-making
Debate between Lord Wigley and Baroness Twycross
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I respect the noble Lord’s right to raise that question in this place. However, I will write to him on that matter; this is not something that I can respond to today.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, does the Minister accept that while it is of course important that we know the financial cost of everything, there are aspects of public policy—such as culture, the arts, music, et cetera—where we need to also understand the value? Is it not unacceptable that we should know the price of everything and the value of nothing?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
If I were to say yes, that would probably be quite a short answer. We are looking at social value as well as value for money purely in financial terms as part of our approach.
Olympic and Paralympic Games: Team GB
Debate between Lord Wigley and Baroness Twycross
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
The importance of grass-roots sports facilities cannot be overstated. As I said in response to the previous question, the Government committed in the Autumn Budget to support grass-roots sport by investing in multi-use facilities across the UK. That will enable people such as those referred to by my noble friend to get the start in those sports that they need.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, will the Minister join me in congratulating the swimmers in both the Olympics and the Paralympics on once again doing very well? However, does she accept that disabled swimmers in particular can achieve their maximum potential only if facilities are available locally? With many local authorities under financial pressure, swimming pools are being closed. Can she give a commitment that the Government will do everything they can, in England for themselves and in co-operation in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, to ensure that the resources are there to maintain swimming pools so that we can maintain this record well into the future?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I agree. I learned how to swim in a swimming pool in south London, where my father literally threw me in at the deep end—which I am not sure is an accepted approach to teaching swimming now. This is an issue that has gone on for some time and we are acutely aware of the issue that the noble Lord refers to.