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Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [HL]

My reply is the same as that to the debate on whether Clause 10 should stand part. While we certainly do not believe that criminal sanctions and fines in themselves are a sufficient set of incentives, we do believe that they send an important signal for regulated activity providers to make appropriate checks to ensure that the individuals they permit to engage in regulated activity are not barred and subject to monitoring which, in turn, will ensure that the scheme works to protect children and vulnerable adults from those who present a risk. Taken in the round with all the other obligations on employers, it is appropriate to have the provisions in place because of the further signals and incentives they provide. But we do not believe that they alone will do what is necessary, and to that extent I agree with the noble Baroness. But I hope that she will agree with me that we should not turn our back on the sending of signals that encourage employers to take their duties with the utmost seriousness in this area.