Commenting on the Government's response to the consultation on 'Proposals to outlaw sexual orientation discrimination in the provision of goods and services' published today, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Women and Equality, Lorely Burt MP said: "The Government's intention to bring forward regulations along the lines of
My Lords, I start by welcoming the noble Lord, Lord McKenzie, to his new DWP duties. I have always found him open, courteous, thoughtful and honest in our exchanges on Treasury matters. I hope that by saying that I am not putting the kibosh on his career when Gordon Brown takes over. The House has been very fortunate in recent years in all its Work and Pensions Ministers: the noble Baroness, Lady Hollis, the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, and now the noble Lord, Lord McKenzie.
My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Morris of Manchester, who has done so much for disabled people over the years.
Lords Oakeshott, Kirkwood, Addington and Baroness Thomas welcome plans to help long term unemployed back in to work, but warn that the Bill will need careful scrutiny and clarification to ensure its success.
Lord Bradshaw and Baroness Scott address problems of funding and execution in the legislation to provide free bus travel for the over 60's.
A national BBC poll on Council Tax has backed Lib Dem proposals to scrap Council Tax entirely and replace it with a local income tax. The Lib Dem proposals for Local Income Tax would mean the majority of current Shepway Council Tax payers would be better off, with many lower paid including pensioners paying nothing at all.
