I have just had a brief thought on what the noble Baroness, Lady Blackstone, said about consultation. It is perfectly true that the sector skills councils are where the serious thinking about the nature of training and so on is going on, and consultation with them is key and a...

I have just had a brief thought on what the noble Baroness, Lady Blackstone, said about consultation. It is perfectly true that the sector skills councils are where the serious thinking about the nature of training and so on is going on, and consultation with them is key and a...

I should declare an interest as a former governor of Hills Road College, which has been mentioned as one of the most excellent sixth-form colleges in the country and is constantly at the top of the league tables. I also declare a very different sort of interest: I made my...

I should declare an interest as a former governor of Hills Road College, which has been mentioned as one of the most excellent sixth-form colleges in the country and is constantly at the top of the league tables. I also declare a very different sort of interest: I made my...

I am very grateful, as I am sure is the Committee, to the noble Lord for that full reply. However, I became increasingly worried as I listened to it, because all the language being used is about the local authority’s duty and the local authority as a commissioner. The person...

I am very grateful, as I am sure is the Committee, to the noble Lord for that full reply. However, I became increasingly worried as I listened to it, because all the language being used is about the local authority’s duty and the local authority as a commissioner. The person...

Briefly, I offer my strongest support for the amendment. This policy for academies is clearly shared by both parties and by both Conservative and Labour supporters. Academies have already begun to prove their worth, and it is very important for any school to be able to develop a sixth form...

Briefly, I offer my strongest support for the amendment. This policy for academies is clearly shared by both parties and by both Conservative and Labour supporters. Academies have already begun to prove their worth, and it is very important for any school to be able to develop a sixth form...

I know that none of us is anxious at this stage of our country’s history to add to the public costs, but there is an issue of equity here. The previous Bill made education compulsory for 16 to 18 year-olds. They are now in exactly the same legal capacity as...

I know that none of us is anxious at this stage of our country’s history to add to the public costs, but there is an issue of equity here. The previous Bill made education compulsory for 16 to 18 year-olds. They are now in exactly the same legal capacity as...

In answer to my noble friend, the proposal from the Liberal Democrat Front Bench is only for those who would qualify for free meals because they were unable to pay, in the same way as it applies for five to 16 year-olds.

In answer to my noble friend, the proposal from the Liberal Democrat Front Bench is only for those who would qualify for free meals because they were unable to pay, in the same way as it applies for five to 16 year-olds.