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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 30 Jan 2017
Higher Education and Research Bill

"I am grateful to the Minister for that answer. However, if the intent of the description in sub-paragraph (5) is as the Minister described, I do not quite understand why it is not more rigorously written into the Bill. I do not see what possible harm it can do, given …..."
Lord Sharkey - View Speech

View all Lord Sharkey (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Higher Education and Research Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 30 Jan 2017
Higher Education and Research Bill

"My Lords, I will speak to Amendments 475 and 491 in this group. I declare an interest as the current chair of the Association of Medical Research Charities. The first four amendments in this group, including Amendment 475, all deal with a rather striking omission from this Bill. As far …..."
Lord Sharkey - View Speech

View all Lord Sharkey (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Higher Education and Research Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 30 Jan 2017
Higher Education and Research Bill

"Perhaps I might press the Minister for a little more clarity about how these partnerships will take place in future. Will there be any additional requirements in forming these partnerships above those that currently exist? I also asked whether there were any circumstances in which such proposed partnerships would need …..."
Lord Sharkey - View Speech

View all Lord Sharkey (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Higher Education and Research Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 30 Jan 2017
Higher Education and Research Bill

"My Lords, I shall speak briefly to Amendments 480 and 481 in my name and that of my noble friend Lord Willis. The Bill proposes what is really quite a radical reduction in the size of the existing research councils, which are to have between six and 10 members. The …..."
Lord Sharkey - View Speech

View all Lord Sharkey (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Higher Education and Research Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 30 Jan 2017
Higher Education and Research Bill

"My Lords, I shall speak briefly in support of Amendment 495, which was tabled by my noble friend Lord Willis and to which I have added my name. It amends Clause 89(4). Clause 89 defines the fields of activity for each of the research councils. It goes on, in subsection …..."
Lord Sharkey - View Speech

View all Lord Sharkey (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Higher Education and Research Bill
Written Question
Occupational Pensions: Tax Allowances
Tuesday 7th June 2016

Asked by: Lord Sharkey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much public funding was involved, and on what terms, in the purchase by Greybull Capital of Tata Steel’s Long Products Europe business.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Shadow Minister (Treasury)

The transaction was a private commercial deal, supported by financing from commercial lenders. Her Majesty’s Government did not participate in the funding of the transaction.

Written Question
Students: Loans
Monday 1st February 2016

Asked by: Lord Sharkey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of Muslim students who have been unable to progress to higher education because their religious principles do not permit them to take out an interest-bearing student loan.

Answered by Baroness Evans of Bowes Park

The Government consulted in April 2014 on an Alternative Finance product that could be offered to students alongside traditional loans. 20,000 responses were received with 94 per cent believing there is a demand for Alternative Finance.

The Government is working on the development of a Takaful Alternative Finance product and as part of this will be working with the Muslim community and others to understand the likely take-up of the product.

Written Question
Students: Loans
Friday 29th January 2016

Asked by: Lord Sharkey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what help and advice is available to Muslim students who wish to progress to higher education but for whom an interest-bearing student loan would be a violation of their religious principles, and where that help and advice can be accessed.

Answered by Baroness Evans of Bowes Park

The Government is aware that some students, whose religious beliefs may prevent the taking out of a loan that bears interest, may feel unable to take advantage of student loans. In April 2014 BIS conducted a consultation on an alternative finance product for undergraduate students. Upon review of consultation responses, the Government supported the introduction of a Takaful Alternative Finance product available to everyone. This work is ongoing and subject to Parliamentary approval, the Government hopes to introduce the system through new legislation.


All students can access advice and guidance on the financial support available to them from Student Finance England on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/contact-student-finance-england