Lord Leitch: My Lords, it is with enormous pride, and not without a little trepidation, that I address this noble and historic House for the first time. Being here is an immense privilege. I have been struck by the warmth of my reception from your Lordships and officials and I have been impressed by the high quality of incisive debate. I particularly like beginning our daily proceedings with prayers from...
Lord Leitch: I declare my interest as a director of Scottish Widows, chairman of BUPA and Intrinsic Financial Services, as well as other entries in the register. I have spent all my working life in the financial services industry and have the scars to prove it. For the past two years I have led the Leitch review of the UK's long-term skills needs. At the same time, I have been carefully following the...
Lord Leitch: rose to call attention to the development of the United Kingdom's skills base; and to move for Papers. My Lords, it is my privilege to move this Motion on skills and to speak on this auspicious first day of a new Prime Minister. Two years ago I was asked by the Government to undertake an independent review of the UK's long-term skill needs in order to, "maximise economic growth, productivity...
Lord Leitch: My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for speaking with such eloquence, expertise and conviction on such a crucial subject for our nation's future. For me it has been a real privilege and a great experience to listen to these immensely valuable contributions. It is clear that skill levels massively influence our economy and our society at every level. Where we are today in skills is simply not...
Lord Leitch: My Lords, I begin by declaring my interests as set out in the Register of Lords' Interests, in particular my role as chairman of BUPA, which provides independent health and social care to 8 million people worldwide. I also passionately believe in and support the National Health Service. Both elements—publicly-owned and independent—are, and always will be, indispensable parts of a single...