The Good is the wonderful news that finally, after a century or so of women’s liberation, after decades of legislation to ensure women’s full place in the employment market and in higher education – we have got some tax relief on childcare costs. Very little and coming rather late, but it is an important recognition that…
The number of women in the House of Lords has increased in recent years, not least on the cross-benches as a result of nominations by the Independent Appointments Commission. However, the political parties have also nominated women peers, some of them drawn from the ranks of those who have distinguished themselves in the House of…
In a curious way, we seem to be back to normal: the so-called “popular press” may now concentrate their fire – and their investigative effort – entirely on the political class, with the occasional foray into “celebrity” territory, and leave “real people” in peace. While the newspapers chose politicians and self-appointed publicity-seekers as their targets…
Last week I was one of two members of the House of Lords attending a session in Brussels of this body. It brought together parliamentarians from nineteen countries and seven Members of the European Parliament. It was chaired by Sir Graham Watson, the MEP for South West England. The theme was the urgent need to develop…
We are reaching the end of the proceedings on the Growth and Infrastructure Bill which aims to increase economic growth by reducing the red tape and delays in the planning process. Inevitably there are unintended consequences in such a far reaching measure – the position of the Canal and River Trust (‘CRT’) is one such.…
The last few days have seen a number of women’s issues raised, as International Women’s Day and Mothering Sunday were marked. It has all been rather gloomy. In the Lords on Thursday last, there were three questions about women. The first was about women and sport, where it seemed that sport for women was either diminishingly…
On Tuesday, I gave evidence to the Public Administration Select Committee as part of its inquiry into the future of the civil service. I was appearing alongside Professors Anthony King (Essex) and Matthew Flinders (Sheffield). Anyone wishing to watch the session can do so here, though to make sense of some of my comments you…
First, I must respond to the query from ‘Old Albion’ arising from my previous posting. There were no connections made to the forthcoming referendum on independence for Scotland during the debate about commemoration of World War 1 on Monday evening. The only indirect reference was the general acknowledgement of the unstinting contribution – and supreme…
I have just had the most amazing visit to South Africa, seeing over 10 schools, including St Mark’s College in Limpop Province, of which I am proud to be Patron. The good work done by the school in providing opportunities for young people from the surrounding villages is inspiring. I also saw a tremendous project…
