Private Passions

Michael Berkeley is joined by Lola Young, Baroness Young of Hornsey, who grew up in care and worked first for the gas board, then as a social worker and as an actress on stage and TV. In her early 30s she decided to study for a degree, leading to a PhD, academic posts and eventually a professorship in cultural studies at Middlesex University. She entered the House of Lords as a crossbench peer 20 years ago, where she has campaigned for change in areas such as modern slavery and fast fashion, and recently wrote a memoir called Eight Weeks. She talks to Michael about her life and career and picks music by Ravel, Errolyn Wallen, Philip Glass and Puccini.