Contributions
112 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, Amendment 226 in my name differs from others in this group, which are more concerned with children not attending school because they are not registered at any school,…03 Jul 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I do not question the proposition that substantive court reports should be done by qualified practitioners. Such reports are valuable, and often essential, to the court,…23 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI, too, want to move on, but I cannot resist repeating my admiration for the admirable Bill last year from the noble Lord, Lord Farmer, and his work on family hubs. I will…23 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I agree with all the questions that have been asked by the previous speakers. The use of agency workers is apparent when we see the variety of people who come to court…19 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillSince the noble Baroness has mentioned them, I shall also offer some observations on the government amendments in advance of hearing the Minister speaking to them. Amendment 157…19 Jun 2025HANSARDRivers and Estuaries: Derelict BoatsMy Lords, are the Government aware of the recent operation by Bath & North East Somerset Council to remove five sunken boats from the River Avon, after unsuccessful efforts to get…19 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, following on from that, I too wish to support those amendments directed specifically at ensuring placement of children close to home, both in this group and the next.…17 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I speak as someone who has had to make these orders, and in doing so I recognise that these amendments are of great importance, shining light on the deprivation of…17 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, briefly, I support what the noble Lords, Lord Russell and Lord Watson, have said, on the basis of my experience as an adoption judge. First, in respect of what the noble…12 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI speak in support of both amendments but particularly Amendment 102 for the strong arguments which have been advanced. At every stage of a family’s involvement with a local…12 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I do not want to join the competition for brevity, but I will do my best. There is now consensus that preference should, if possible, be given to the placement of…09 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I strongly support Amendment 172. I do so in preference to Amendment 169, although I see that both are directed to the same wretched problem of successive removals of…09 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I too support Amendment 66 and the proposed introduction of a mandatory reporting requirement for sexual abuse, in accordance not just with the speeches we have heard…09 Jun 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillMy Lords, I have not spoken before on the Bill, and frankly, like others, I was rather astonished that this was a topic requiring legislation at all. Like the noble and learned…04 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I make just one point about the proposed new sections to be added by Clause 4 to the 2004 Act, as probed by these amendments. They would introduce an all-important duty…22 May 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I will speak to Amendments 36 and 40 and respectfully agree with almost everything that has been said so far. Amendment 40 concerns cases which cross local authority…22 May 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I would like the Government to incorporate the wording of this amendment into the legislation—it seems admirable. I am asked by my noble and learned friend Lady…22 May 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, just to add to what has just been said, my understanding is that accreditation depends on the centre having been approved by the national association, and that…22 May 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I was not going to intervene but, after hearing my noble friend, I cannot help but recall having to deal with some of the children of a man who, on inquiry, had had 11…22 May 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I was unable to speak at Second Reading and I will resist the temptation to make a Second Reading speech now. Rather, I wish to concentrate on Amendment 1. Any…20 May 2025