Member

Discrimination in the job market is something that the noble Lord, Lord Young of Acton, is right to bring up, and he has articulated the breadth of the issues in the amendment. I thought it might be useful to zoom in on one specific example because it is easier to get our head around it. I therefore want to talk about the case of Saba Poursaeedi, who is suing his former employer, a housing association, as we have just heard, for political discrimination. I declare an interest: I have known Saba for several years, because he has been a regular, enthusiastic and talented volunteer for the Academy of Ideas, particularly helping out with the Battle of Ideas festival. He is dedicated to projects that are involved in education and open debate. He is in his mid-30s, a family man who has great community spirit and is committed to public service. I remember when he got the job as housing officer at Hightown Housing Association in October 2023; it was a part-time post covering maternity leave. He loved the work so much, and he was delighted when he was therefore offered, and subsequently took, a permanent job as resident involvement officer on £37,000 a year— I say that because it was a good salary.