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Coastal Towns

I apologise to the Chairman of the Select Committee for not having been present for the start of her speech. I am particularly pleased that she has mentioned looked-after children, because Worthing shares Margate’s experience. The real problem is the clustering of independent children’s homes, not only in former retirement homes but in domestic residential properties which, if they have six or fewer residents, do not need planning permission. The point is not a new one, however. Lord Utting made a recommendation back in the 1990s that such placements should not happen—that children should be placed within 20 miles of their own home unless that would result in serious harm to them. How much confidence does the hon. Lady have that the Government will show more urgency in the matter than previously?