In interviews with The Sunday Times and Andrew Marr, new Education Secretary Damian Hinds signalled he would encourage restrictions to pupils’ rights to sex education. In the former interview, he is reported to have acknowledged he was reversing the policy of his predecessor, Justine Greening.
Hinds also failed to commit to the reintroduction of maintenance grants for students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds as part of a review of the university system.
Responding, Lib Dem Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said:
The sexual harassment and intimidation scandals – and the resulting need for the #metoo movement – and the shocking rise in homophobic and transphobic attacks are just some of the reasons why compulsory sex education is vital.
The new Education Secretary should be pushing for all children to have age-appropriate sex education, not trying to encourage the use of opt-outs that could result in young people struggling to understand the sexual rights of themselves and others. The Conservatives must not abdicate their responsibilities in this area.
Hinds was equivocal at best – dismissive in reality – of maintenance grants for the poorest university students when he was interviewed by Andrew Marr. Universities must be open to all and, for the system to work properly, the Liberal Democrats have argued that maintenance grants are vital for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
* News Meerkat - keeping a look-out for Liberal Democrat news. Meerkat photo by Paul Walter
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5 Comments
This is the sensible and moral thing to believe and say .
It is absurd that the Conservatives are so conservative on things that mean the state then has to intervene to deal with what could be changed in other ways.
There is a problem with children online , with regard to their innocence and manipulation.
There needs to be stronger rules and I believe the state has a role.
But with the Tory response too much at best, and also hard to implement or with even more dodgy consequences, they, seek bills on digital rights, or the reduction, of them, rather than promoting sex education, where they seek the reduction of it.
David Laws made mistakes.
Come back all is forgiven.
Or better, bring on Layla Moran, nothing to forgive , nothing not to like …!
A welcome response to two blooming silly ideas.
@ Lorenzo, A suggestion (I don’t want royalties) for when you write your next pantomime production for the Nottingham Playhouse
“David Laws made mistakes.” “Oh Yes, he did.”
“Come back – all is forgiven.” “Oh No, he won’t.” …….. “Oh no it’s not.”
David
He’s behind you !
Aw c’mon. “He’s behind you” is nowhere near as panto as
David: “Where’s my political career?”
Audience: ….