National Curriculum: Religious Education
Debate between Baroness Blake of Leeds and Lord Rook
Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Blake of Leeds) (Lab)
My Lords, schools are required to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of their pupils. They can do this within lessons on religious education and in other teaching. Schools are required to promote fundamental British values, including encouraging mutual understanding, respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. The curriculum and assessment review has considered RE in its work and its final report will be published this autumn.
Lord Rook (Lab)
I thank my noble friend for the Answer. My sons were privileged to go to Rutlish School, a diverse state comprehensive in south-west London with no religious affiliation. They received excellent religious education—in fact, it was compulsory until GCSE—that enhanced the community cohesion in a very diverse setting and, most importantly, equipped pupils for the world in which they now live. Currently, 95% of teachers say that high-quality religious education is more important than ever, yet Ofsted reports that, in far too many schools, the delivery of RE is either poor quality or not fit for purpose. At a time when our country and communities need far greater social cohesion, will His Majesty’s Government ensure that religious education is properly prioritised in the new national curriculum, so that our young people can continue to develop and flourish within our multireligious and multi-ethnic world?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for his enormous interest in this important subject. I reassure him that the Government note the findings of the Ofsted subject report and are committed to ensuring high-quality provision of religious education. To support teachers and help ensure high standards and consistency of teaching, we have funded Oak National Academy to develop a full suite of high-quality RE resources. We also welcome the work of the Religious Education Council to assist curriculum developers by publishing its national content standard for RE in England. I can only emphasise my comments; I cannot pre-empt the findings of the curriculum and assessment review, but we look forward with enormous interest to the conclusions of this work.
Independent Commission on Adult Social Care
Debate between Baroness Blake of Leeds and Lord Rook(1 month, 3 weeks ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
The noble Lord raises an incredibly important point; I would expect as much from his background in this area. It is fair to say that local authorities spend more than 50% on the working-age demographic, but he is absolutely right that the main focus—the news interest—tends to be on older adults. I reassure him that our Government will look at all the issues, and enabling people to get back into the workplace and stay there is absolutely critical. The most important thing about the review of the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, is that it will be inclusive. She has already held a cross-party meeting, and there will be ample opportunity for all Members to ensure that their voice is heard.
Lord Rook (Lab)
My Lords, in asking this question, I point to my own interest as a carer. Given the long-term challenges in our adult social care system, I am sure that all of us welcome the Prime Minister’s creation of an Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, and I am sure that we all welcome the appointment of the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, as its chair. To what extent will the commission engage with local government to understand some of the challenges, particularly in the provision of domiciliary care in the sector at this point?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
My noble friend raises an important point, and I just highlight my personal experience of working with the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, which goes back over a couple of decades to when she first started the work on introducing ASBOs—I am sure that everyone will remember that—and then went on to troubled families. She has a very strong and clear understanding of the local government sector, and it will be fundamental, I am sure, given the importance of the sector in this whole area, that this engagement is profound. Of course, it is absolutely critical that we allow her to move forward with that important piece of work, but I am very sure—as I am sure that all noble Lords are—that the LGA will make its voice very loudly heard and make sure that its view are fed in on behalf of the people it represents.