To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) representatives of the devolved governments, and (2) trade unions, regarding the geographical discrepancies in starting salaries for teachers across the UK.

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) representatives of the devolved governments, and (2) trade unions, regarding the geographical discrepancies in starting salaries for teachers across the UK.

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the announcement by the Prime Minister on 13 July regarding increases to public sector pay, what are the Barnett consequentials for devolved nations of the UK as a result of that announcement.

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the announcement by the Prime Minister on 13 July regarding increases to public sector pay, what are the Barnett consequentials for devolved nations of the UK as a result of that announcement.

My Lords, in my old profession this session was called the interval act—the act charged with getting the audience back from the bar, and it very often failed.

The Minister has known me a long time, so I will speak plainly. Before I do, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady O’Neill...

My Lords, in my old profession this session was called the interval act—the act charged with getting the audience back from the bar, and it very often failed.

The Minister has known me a long time, so I will speak plainly. Before I do, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady O’Neill...

My Lords, what an amazing speech to follow.

What can I say? The Bill totally misunderstands the relationship between trade unions and their members. For example, when it talks about a union’s role in enforcing work notices, it prohibits

“an act done by the union to induce a person to take part,...

My Lords, what an amazing speech to follow.

What can I say? The Bill totally misunderstands the relationship between trade unions and their members. For example, when it talks about a union’s role in enforcing work notices, it prohibits

“an act done by the union to induce a person to take part,...

My Lords, I am totally opposed to the Bill, not least because it is an act of evasion and avoids tackling some genuinely dire problems in public services. Instead, it aims to punish ordinary people for daring to ask the perfectly reasonable question: “Will you give us pay rises in...

My Lords, I am totally opposed to the Bill, not least because it is an act of evasion and avoids tackling some genuinely dire problems in public services. Instead, it aims to punish ordinary people for daring to ask the perfectly reasonable question: “Will you give us pay rises in...

My Lords, many of those who have spoken have referred to historical matters. I am going to take us back to the economic crisis of 2007-08, because it was then that we had austerity policies introduced by George Osborne as our Chancellor.

My Lords, many of those who have spoken have referred to historical matters. I am going to take us back to the economic crisis of 2007-08, because it was then that we had austerity policies introduced by George Osborne as our Chancellor.

It was Alistair Darling.

It was Alistair Darling.

What has that got to do with it?

The mantra that was sold to the public was that we were all in this together; that we would all have to deal with austerity in order to get our finances right. Well the burden was not shared by all. The burden was...

What has that got to do with it?

The mantra that was sold to the public was that we were all in this together; that we would all have to deal with austerity in order to get our finances right. Well the burden was not shared by all. The burden was...

My Lords, some of my points have already been made, but it is well worth repeating some of them. I declare that I am a member of the GMB. Last Friday, I attended my local branch meeting, where I presented my workplace report, in which I sought my branch members’...

My Lords, some of my points have already been made, but it is well worth repeating some of them. I declare that I am a member of the GMB. Last Friday, I attended my local branch meeting, where I presented my workplace report, in which I sought my branch members’...

My Lords, my noble friend Lord Sahota has reminded me, in his excellent speech, that I should declare an interest as a member of the GMB. I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady O’Neill, on her maiden speech. Having spent 20 years of my life on different local authorities, I am...

My Lords, my noble friend Lord Sahota has reminded me, in his excellent speech, that I should declare an interest as a member of the GMB. I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady O’Neill, on her maiden speech. Having spent 20 years of my life on different local authorities, I am...

My Lords, it is always a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Liddle. There is an old maxim that applies here and now: everything has been said, but not everyone has said it—and now it is my turn to say it.

This has been an interesting Second Reading— I really...

My Lords, it is always a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Liddle. There is an old maxim that applies here and now: everything has been said, but not everyone has said it—and now it is my turn to say it.

This has been an interesting Second Reading— I really...

My Lords, I start by thanking the noble Baroness, Lady O’Neill of Bexley, for her excellent maiden speech. I truly welcome her commitment to public service and her aspiration to make a difference; she will make a strong difference in this House. I also agree with her wholeheartedly that we...

My Lords, I start by thanking the noble Baroness, Lady O’Neill of Bexley, for her excellent maiden speech. I truly welcome her commitment to public service and her aspiration to make a difference; she will make a strong difference in this House. I also agree with her wholeheartedly that we...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions on what is, in the Government’s view, a very important Bill. There is clearly a wealth of expertise on this topic across the House, not least among the large number of ex-trade union general secretaries we seem to have on...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions on what is, in the Government’s view, a very important Bill. There is clearly a wealth of expertise on this topic across the House, not least among the large number of ex-trade union general secretaries we seem to have on...

Moved by

Lord Callanan

Moved by

Lord Callanan

Lords second reading. Agreed to on question. Lords motion that the bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House and on instruction to Committee of the Whole House on order of clauses to be taken. Agreed to on question. (Part 2 of 2).

Lords second reading. Agreed to on question. Lords motion that the bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House and on instruction to Committee of the Whole House on order of clauses to be taken. Agreed to on question. (Part 2 of 2).

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Evans.

It is well known that the first and foremost job of any Government is to keep the public safe. Every one of us in this Chamber will know of people who have been impacted by industrial action. Every one of...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Evans.

It is well known that the first and foremost job of any Government is to keep the public safe. Every one of us in this Chamber will know of people who have been impacted by industrial action. Every one of...

The Minister has started with a red herring about keeping people safe. Can he explain, then, why teachers and education are included in the Bill?

The Minister has started with a red herring about keeping people safe. Can he explain, then, why teachers and education are included in the Bill?

Clearly, there is a wider context for children. It is about services and safety—those are both contexts in this—as well as livelihoods. All those things are affected when people do not provide a minimum service level.

Clearly, there is a wider context for children. It is about services and safety—those are both contexts in this—as well as livelihoods. All those things are affected when people do not provide a minimum service level.

rose—

rose—

If I may, I will respond to the question from the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Alan Brown). All those things are affected when there is a universal strike. The Bill is about guaranteeing a minimum service level.

If I may, I will respond to the question from the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Alan Brown). All those things are affected when there is a universal strike. The Bill is about guaranteeing a minimum service level.