---

Work and Families Bill

I am grateful to the Minister for his detailed response to this important amendment. I recognise the important step that the Government have made in moving paid paternity leave forward to nine months and then on to 12 months. He spoke of the balance and fairness between employed and unemployed women and I recognise the concerns there. However, I suggest that he should balance that with the imperative that we have all been discussing; about giving the best start—Sure Start—to children. He might also consider the public health implications and costs to the National Health Service later in life. I know young people of 16, 17 or 18 years of age who have had the worst starts in life and are suffering from low levels of paranoia or depression, which are quite likely to blossom into more florid developments later. In prisons and children’s homes, I am afraid that, according to the Office for National statistics, 68 per cent have a mental disorder following tremendous upset in their family lives. I recognise what the Minister is saying, but I ask him to consider balancing that against the financial benefits to us all of this early investment.