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Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 18 December 2025

Debate

UK-EU Common Understanding Negotiations

Contribution

My Lords, I warmly welcome this great initiative, which is a matter for celebration. I am especially pleased that, as my noble friend Lord Reid said, it is open to all kids. As my noble friend the Minister said, we all have a responsibility to ensure that kids in all our areas, including the Forest of Dean, which is a greatly disadvantaged area, know about this so that they can take advantage of it. At a time when we have war on our continent and people are peddling fear of the other, the way in which this can nurture understanding between young people is vital. There is one thing that worries me slightly. Of course, we have to have robust finances, and to know that we are getting value for money and that all kids are included. Ten months is a very short amount of time. I urge my noble friend the Minister to ensure that, whatever happens in the future, there must not be a cliff edge; we must do whatever we can to ensure that such schemes are a success.

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