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Child Poverty Bill

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, makes some important points with his amendment. I am pleased to see that, unlike many in the Government, he agrees with us in identifying a strong and stable partnership between the parents as a fundamental pillar in bringing up a child in a happy household. He is absolutely right to identify the ongoing problem of delivering support and resources to those who need it most. I am sure that many of us are aware of good intentions gone largely to waste in many areas because of low take-up by the target population. As any parent in this Room will know, any baby brings with it sleepless nights, added expense and enormous responsibilities. These invariably put a strain on the healthiest, happiest and richest of relationships. Providing useful information and putting hesitant parents into contact with bodies, whether governmental or not, that can provide ongoing advice and support could make all the difference to whether a relationship survives the appearance of a child.