"I thank my noble friend for that response. She mentioned the existing requirements on school admissions, but as the Sutton Trust report revealed, 36% fewer pupils with SEND from disadvantaged backgrounds are accepted in the higher-performing schools. The current rules are simply not doing the job that they are intended …..." Lord Watson of Invergowrie - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Sutton Trust Selective Inclusion, published on 24 March, which found that the top 500 secondary schools admit a lower proportion of pupils eligible for both free school meals and special educational needs support than …..." Lord Watson of Invergowrie - View Speech
"My Lords, the powerful opening speech by the most reverend Primate contained much wisdom. For me, however, perhaps the main takeaway will be a call for AI developers to answer the fundamental question: where are we going? The potential impact of artificial intelligence on human relationships and society is vast …..." Lord Watson of Invergowrie - View Speech
"My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Holmes, has done us all a favour by facilitating this discourse, but it should not be necessary. In the 2024 King’s Speech, the Government committed to placing binding regulations on the developers of the most powerful AI models. Almost two years later, we still …..." Lord Watson of Invergowrie - View Speech
"My Lords, the immigration and asylum Bill includes welcome provisions to change the modern slavery system, including better tools for law enforcement to tackle exploitation and stronger processes to identify children. However, the Bill continues to emphasise alleged abuse of the system, despite no data supporting this. That approach risks …..." Lord Watson of Invergowrie - View Speech
"My Lords, I speak as the chair of the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee, and I want to put on the record that I very much approve of the suggested additional day on Tuesdays specifically for delegated legislation. It is important that delegated legislation is given the stature that it deserves, …..." Lord Watson of Invergowrie - View Speech
"My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Freyberg, on securing this important if brief debate. There was much to welcome in both the Curriculum and Assessment Review and the Government’s response to it. Like the noble Lord, I welcome the end of the damaging EBacc obsession from the now …..." Lord Watson of Invergowrie - View Speech
"My Lords, it is common for noble Lords to start their speeches by saying that it is a pleasure to follow either a noble Lord or a noble Baroness, and that is generally true. There are certain circumstances when it is not true. A number of speakers in this House …..." Lord Watson of Invergowrie - View Speech
"I thank my noble friend for that response. I know she is aware that tomorrow marks the 60th anniversary of the launch by the then Arts Minister, Jennie Lee, later Baroness Lee of Asheridge, of the White Paper which led to the establishment of the Open University. That institution stands …..." Lord Watson of Invergowrie - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government how they plan to use the Post-16 education and skills white paper, published on 20 October 2025, to promote and deliver a culture of lifelong learning...." Lord Watson of Invergowrie - View Speech