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Child Poverty Bill

My Lords, I was referring to the fact that some looked-after children and homeless children are not captured by the definitions of poverty that we use to define child poverty targets in Part 1, for the reasons that we have discussed. However, only a very small minority of vulnerable children are not covered by the definition; 84 per cent of children in care or looked-after children are placed with foster carers, adopted or placed with their parents and so reside in private households that are covered by the measure. Moreover, the amendment is relevant not to Part 1 but to the child poverty strategy in Part 2, which will cover any child who lives in socio-economic disadvantage. As living in care or being homeless are both causes and consequences of deprivation and poverty, local authorities would unquestionably consider these children when fulfilling their duties under the Bill. This Government and our local partners remain committed to ensuring that these vulnerable groups are looked after. Perhaps I can use this opportunity to alert noble Lords to the fact that we are considering moving a government amendment on Report, which will be relevant to both this amendment and the amendment that the noble Baroness, Lady Thomas, is due to move shortly. The amendment would require the Secretary of State, when preparing the UK child poverty strategy, to focus on groups of children who appear to be disproportionately affected by socio-economic disadvantage and on the impact of proposed measures on those groups of children. That is not a precise wording and I stress that we do not envisage it being a list, illustrative or otherwise, but I hope that that will provide some reassurance on what has been a bit of a theme in our discussion today. Given that, I hope that the noble Lord will feel able to withdraw his amendment.