Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab)

My Lords, the values that drive the Government’s political priorities are Labour values, shared by the new Prime Minister and the former Prime Minister, to whom I also pay tribute. There has, however, been a very welcome change of tone and direction, building on the work of the last two years. I celebrate the hope, the optimism, the positivity and the determination to do politics differently. Our citizens want and deserve problem-solving rather than point-scoring, because that alienates people rather than encouraging them to engage. The cross-party talks over social care are a fine example of doing things differently—understanding that achieving consensus is a strength, not a weakness. The Prime Minister shows great courage in his resolve to address the desperately needed reform of social care. He has a very long-term interest in this, which is well known. There is a huge lack of workers in social care, with a vacancy rate of more than 8%. Will consideration be given to enabling more workers to come from overseas so that we can provide a better service in social care while it is being reformed? I agree with the Prime Minister’s analysis of the current situation in this country and the damage done to the fabric of our country and the economy, including by Brexit, which, as he said in the Commons, “compounded the damage, ushering in a decade of low growth and stalled regeneration”.—[Official Report, Commons, 1/9/26; col. 27.] His words will, I hope, give impetus to the UK-EU reset. The economic challenges are mighty. We are continually buffeted by global storms and people are suffering, but action is already being taken to address the lives of people, including the homeless. This is a moral but very practical mission. The right reverend Prelate spoke about homelessness. On the day that he became Prime Minister, before he went to the Palace, the Prime Minister went to the Passage, a homeless charity where he met people sleeping rough. In his speech outside No. 10, he pledged to end rough sleeping in England and, just last month, he announced immediate action to offer everyone who needs it a route off the streets by Christmas. Accommodation and support will be rolled out across England this winter, backed by £442 million of funding. Areas in the greatest need will receive the largest share of the money, with mayors working with councils to make decisions on delivering help where it is needed most. This, I believe, is devolution in action. Homelessness damages the lives of individuals and their physical and mental health, and it affects their dignity. It impacts on many areas of policy, not least the health of our nation. One in six people recalled to prison in breach of their licence is homeless. They have not committed a further offence; they simply do not have the roof over their heads that everyone deserves. If a person is homeless, they cannot get or sustain employment. If a child is in temporary accommodation, they cannot do their homework. Safe, affordable homes are vital. I warmly welcome the £10 billion pledge to build 70,000 homes in the first tranche of the social and affordable homes programme in England. It would indeed be great if they could be built near railway stations. This Government are radical and will act to ensure sustainable change for individuals and the country, galvanised by hope. To quote Bertrand Russell: “Man needs … hope and enterprise and change”.