Results 1-20 of 316 for speaker:Liz Blackman

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (4 Nov 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: Derbyshire firm Baltex, which is based in my constituency, makes technical textiles and has twice received the Queen's award for industry. Among its work, it reinforces hoses that go into new cars. The company tells me that sales of that particular product line have soared since the inception of the scrappage scheme. What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the scrappage scheme in...

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Children's Commissioner (19 Oct 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: As a former teacher and, indeed, a former parliamentary private secretary at the Department, I can tell my right hon. Friend that in my opinion his Department has placed the most relentless focus on raising standards for children and young people that I have ever observed. Along the way, he has made tough decisions without flinching. This is one of them; it is the correct one; and it will...

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Building Britain's Future (29 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: One group of children crying out for more personalised education are those with high-functioning autism, who are often misunderstood. Crucial to their support would be better training for staff, classroom assistants and others. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that attention will be paid to that?

Prayers: Autism Bill (19 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: In Committee, we had a good debate about this issue, and the Minister reassured everybody that although foundation trusts do indeed have autonomy, when PCTs were commissioning their services they still acted under the guidance, which was incorporated in the commissioning process. That gives reassurance that the guidance will, to a degree, stretch into foundation trusts.

Prayers: Autism Bill (19 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: Just for a bit of clarity, let me point out that, in Committee, the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Corby (Phil Hope), explained that this is handled through the contracting system. He said: "Yes. The Bill does not apply to foundation trusts for the reasons that I have just given—wider policy and so on—but if a PCT is contracting with a foundation trust, as I said earlier,...

Prayers: Autism Bill (19 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: Does the hon. Lady not agree that the many people who have high-functioning autism and have never had a diagnosis will be extremely difficult to identify? I am sure that there are data that could help local authorities, primary care trusts and the like to try to make a diagnosis, and to try to identify such people. It will be tricky to do so, and real, proactive commitment is needed, but it...

Prayers: Autism Bill (19 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: On that point, there is no harm in repeating that message several times in this Chamber.

Prayers: Autism Bill (19 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: I start by putting it on the record that I was wrong on Second Reading not to wish the Bill to go into Committee. I felt at that time that the strategy and process announced by the Minister of State, Department of Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Phil Hope) was correct—that we should just get on with it and move towards delivery as soon as possible. However, much water has...

Prayers: Autism Bill (19 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: I also pay a huge tribute to the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Angela Browning) for her promotion of this cause. As I said on Second Reading, she was for many years a lone voice in the House, trying to improve services right across the spectrum. I also offer huge congratulations to the Minister of State on responding so comprehensively and enthusiastically to the challenge. It was a...

Prayers: Autism Bill (19 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: I agree. The culture of the workplace is a key factor in getting young people with autism into employment and keeping them there. It is a real challenge to shift that culture. I shall say more about employment in a moment. There are four more recommendations on the report's list. I want to read them into the record because transition is a crucial process. If we get that right, we are far more...

Prayers: Autism Bill (19 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: Absolutely, but it is all part of the same package: implementing something is a moving process and training is at the heart of that. I am very proud to be speaking here today in support of a Bill which, if properly implemented, will make a huge difference to so many people and, crucially, their families and carers as well. I wish it well.

Prayers: Autism Bill (19 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: Does the hon. Lady not also agree that it is people with high-functioning autism who are the most hidden from services and that their parents have a great deal more to worry about? If someone has classic autism, it is blatantly obvious. We might argue about the quality of the services for them, but at least they have been identified. That is why it is so important that the Bill translates...

Prayers: Autism Bill (19 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: I absolutely agree with the hon. Lady about having someone in the Department of Health with that specific responsibility. Will she pay tribute to the Department, however, for having such a dedicated person in place at the moment? Let us hope that that continues.

Oral Answers to Questions — Communities and Local Government: Topical Questions (2 Jun 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: What progress has Derbyshire county council made in meeting its local area agreement targets in the light of the credit crunch?

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (13 May 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: In the last 18 months, Erewash credit union has saved local people £170,000 that would otherwise have gone to doorstep lenders in high interest rates. That reduces the misery experienced by people trapped in debt and releases extra money into the local economy. As my right hon. Friend knows, the Department for Work and Pensions growth fund backs credit unions. Will he assure me that that...

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Jobcentre Plus (Staffing) (11 May 2009)

Liz Blackman: What assessment he has made of the adequacy of staffing levels in Jobcentre Plus; and if he will make a statement.

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Jobcentre Plus (Staffing) (11 May 2009)

Liz Blackman: I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. May I tell him that Derbyshire Jobcentre Plus is well on target to meet the Department's required recruitment levels at both clerical and executive grades? The capacity and expertise are therefore already in place at local level. However, what are my right hon. Friend's contingency plans should further demand on Jobcentre Plus become evident?

Oral Answers to Questions — Innovation, Universities and Skills: Topical Questions (30 Apr 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: Niche engineering and light manufacturing play a significant part in the local economy of Erewash, and will offer future employment for young people with the appropriate skills. In the past four years, the number of apprenticeships completed has risen from 190 to 310, and that trend will continue with the investment that has been announced. However, the hon. Member for Westmorland and...

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (25 Mar 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: MRSA and C. difficile rates are falling significantly at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Derby Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Ilkeston community hospital, all of which serve my constituents. Is this not down to the hard work of NHS professionals, coupled with the targeted investment put in by the Government? Will my right hon. and learned Friend take the opportunity to...

Oral Answers to Questions — Innovation, Universities and Skills: Topical Questions (12 Mar 2009) has video

Liz Blackman: The student fee assumption, which is the amount that the LSC assumes FE colleges will collect from adult students in training, is rising steadily. Will the Secretary of State undertake to keep that level under review, given falling family and company budgets?