M
Member
Speaking in the House of Lords on 3 February 2026
Debate
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillContribution
206: After Clause 63, insert the following new Clause—
“Citizenship education: British values(1) In any statement relating to British values for education purposes at primary and secondary level in England and Wales, the Secretary of State, OFSTED and any other public authority must include—(a) democracy,(b) the rule of law,(c) freedom,(d) equal respect for every person, and(e) respect for the environment.(2) Any statement in subsection (1) must refer to British values as “values of British citizenship”.(3) The values listed under paragraphs (1)(a) to (e) must be taught as part of citizenship education for key stages 1, 2, 3 and 4.(4) In section (1)(a) “democracy” includes—(a) an independent judiciary,(b) in a Parliamentary system, a Government that is accountable to Parliament, regular election, and(c) decentralised decision-making, accountable at an appropriate level to the electorate.(5) In subsection (1)(c) “freedom” includes—(a) freedom of thought, conscience and religion,(b) freedom of expression, and(c) freedom of assembly and association.(6) In subsection (1)(e) “respect for the environment” means taking into account the systemic effect of human actions on the health and sustainability of the environment both within the United Kingdom and the planet as a whole, for present and future generations.”
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