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Proceeding contribution from Lord McKenzie of Luton (Labour) in the House of Lords on Monday, 25 January 2010. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee proceeding on Child Poverty Bill.

Child Poverty Bill

My Lords, I reiterate that the Bill does not create any rights for children individually to pursue a Secretary of State if they consider that they are left in socio-economic disadvantage. The noble Lord missed a part of Clause 8(2)(b), which says, ""for the purpose of ensuring as far as possible that children in the United Kingdom do not experience socio-economic disadvantage"." I am sure that the noble Lord understands the thrust of that. It seeks to ensure that all children get the same opportunities, that they are not income-deprived, that they have the opportunity, through education, to gain skills and knowledge, to enjoy life and to engage with others. I suppose we could write an essay on that. I do not think it is very helpful to try to pin down a very narrow legal definition. However, that is what the noble Lord is doing with his amendments, and that is why we object to them.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
716 c276GC 
Session
2009-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
Children Conditions of employment Alcoholic drinks Disadvantaged Costs Finance Families Drugs Misconduct Low incomes Pay Membership Public appointments Poverty Minimum wage Misuse Nutrition Lone parents OECD countries Social security benefits Welfare tax credits Research Unemployment Self-employed UNICEF Child Poverty Commission Public health
Legislation
Child Poverty Bill 2008-09 to 2009-10
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk