My Lords, I shall speak very briefly in support of both noble Baronesses on the amendment. Four years ago, a colleague of mine and his admirable wife adopted three severely damaged little girls. Over the four years in which they have looked after them, I have watched the incredible improvement in those...

My Lords, I shall speak very briefly in support of both noble Baronesses on the amendment. Four years ago, a colleague of mine and his admirable wife adopted three severely damaged little girls. Over the four years in which they have looked after them, I have watched the incredible improvement in those...

My Lords, I am right behind the noble Baroness, Lady Morris of Bolton, on this group of amendments. Although concurrency planning is still at an early stage, the evidence is outstanding that it is in the best interests of the child and is highly successful. We need to give it a boost...

My Lords, I am right behind the noble Baroness, Lady Morris of Bolton, on this group of amendments. Although concurrency planning is still at an early stage, the evidence is outstanding that it is in the best interests of the child and is highly successful. We need to give it a boost...

moved Amendment No. 1:"After Clause 2, insert the following new clause—" ““FOSTER PARENTS INVOLVED IN CONCURRENT PLANNING SCHEME In section 171ZL(2)(a) of SSCBA 1992 (entitlement) at end insert ““including an adoptive parent who was initially a foster parent under a concurrent planning scheme””.”” The noble Baroness said: My Lords, in moving Amendment No. 1, I speak to...

moved Amendment No. 1:"After Clause 2, insert the following new clause—" ““FOSTER PARENTS INVOLVED IN CONCURRENT PLANNING SCHEME In section 171ZL(2)(a) of SSCBA 1992 (entitlement) at end insert ““including an adoptive parent who was initially a foster parent under a concurrent planning scheme””.”” The noble Baroness said: My Lords, in moving Amendment No. 1, I speak to...

My Lords, I start by thanking the noble Baroness, Lady Morris of Bolton, for bringing this issue back on Report, and other noble Lords who have spoken in the debate. The noble Baroness hoped that we had made progress since Committee, and I hope that what I have to say will indicate that I believe...

My Lords, I start by thanking the noble Baroness, Lady Morris of Bolton, for bringing this issue back on Report, and other noble Lords who have spoken in the debate. The noble Baroness hoped that we had made progress since Committee, and I hope that what I have to say will indicate that I believe...

My Lords, I share the convictions of all four of those who have spoken so far.

My Lords, I share the convictions of all four of those who have spoken so far.

My Lords, I, too, shall speak very briefly in support of the amendment. It makes absolute sense. Indeed, the people who take on this responsibility are doing so for the good of the community, which will end up with more responsible and better adjusted adults—and, my goodness, we need them....

My Lords, I, too, shall speak very briefly in support of the amendment. It makes absolute sense. Indeed, the people who take on this responsibility are doing so for the good of the community, which will end up with more responsible and better adjusted adults—and, my goodness, we need them....

moved Amendment No. 2:"Page 2, line 10, at end insert—" ““(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) and (c), the relationship with the child is that the employee has parental responsibility for the child or has made in some other form to be set out in regulations under this section a commitment to...

moved Amendment No. 2:"Page 2, line 10, at end insert—" ““(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) and (c), the relationship with the child is that the employee has parental responsibility for the child or has made in some other form to be set out in regulations under this section a commitment to...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that. I look forward to receiving his letter. Today, he will have made many people very happy. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 3 [Additional paternity leave: birth]:

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that. I look forward to receiving his letter. Today, he will have made many people very happy. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 3 [Additional paternity leave: birth]:

My Lords, I believe that if the conclusion is that the regulations as currently drafted cover the position, nothing specific will be put forward, although the guidance notes will need to be amended to reflect the conclusion. I will write to the noble Baroness and all noble Lords who have spoken today...

My Lords, I believe that if the conclusion is that the regulations as currently drafted cover the position, nothing specific will be put forward, although the guidance notes will need to be amended to reflect the conclusion. I will write to the noble Baroness and all noble Lords who have spoken today...

My Lords, I too support the amendment. The purpose of the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, in trying to clarify the relationship about which we are talking between the man and the child is commendable. Of course, none of us can ensure that, by a piece of legislation, what a man says or...

My Lords, I too support the amendment. The purpose of the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, in trying to clarify the relationship about which we are talking between the man and the child is commendable. Of course, none of us can ensure that, by a piece of legislation, what a man says or...

My Lords, I, too, support what is clearly behind this amendment—it will be behind quite a number of the amendments—to encourage the father’s parental role in supporting the child right through life. I am also a little worried about whether it is drafted in the right way and whether it is...

My Lords, I, too, support what is clearly behind this amendment—it will be behind quite a number of the amendments—to encourage the father’s parental role in supporting the child right through life. I am also a little worried about whether it is drafted in the right way and whether it is...

My Lords, perhaps I may reiterate a point. Our concern is that using this definition would potentially restrict the number of people who could benefit from these arrangements. For good or ill, we already have the definition in respect of ordinary paternity leave and pay. Our concern is that if that...

My Lords, perhaps I may reiterate a point. Our concern is that using this definition would potentially restrict the number of people who could benefit from these arrangements. For good or ill, we already have the definition in respect of ordinary paternity leave and pay. Our concern is that if that...

My Lords, I am most grateful to the Minister. I am always sceptical about consultation, especially when I have not been consulted. I wonder whether the Minister could arrange for me to have the relevant documentation and I will express my views to the consultation, although I dare say it will not make much difference. The...

My Lords, I am most grateful to the Minister. I am always sceptical about consultation, especially when I have not been consulted. I wonder whether the Minister could arrange for me to have the relevant documentation and I will express my views to the consultation, although I dare say it will not make much difference. The...

moved Amendment No. 3:"Page 2, line 46, at end insert—" ““( ) Regulations under this section shall provide for the mother to provide written confirmation that the person claiming additional paternity leave has satisfied the conditions in subsection (1)(b) and (c) and is the only person claiming it; and the employer concerned shall...

moved Amendment No. 3:"Page 2, line 46, at end insert—" ““( ) Regulations under this section shall provide for the mother to provide written confirmation that the person claiming additional paternity leave has satisfied the conditions in subsection (1)(b) and (c) and is the only person claiming it; and the employer concerned shall...

My Lords, I can see that I am not going to win the argument. The final point I want to make is that I would be most grateful if the Minister could let me see the document the person will have to sign. Everything is in the detail here. If the person is committing...

My Lords, I can see that I am not going to win the argument. The final point I want to make is that I would be most grateful if the Minister could let me see the document the person will have to sign. Everything is in the detail here. If the person is committing...

My Lords, this is a very ingenious solution to what is clearly a problem, so I support the amendment. The very fact that the onus would be on the individual to make the claim would reduce the burden on the employer. Further, there at least would be a basis on which...

My Lords, this is a very ingenious solution to what is clearly a problem, so I support the amendment. The very fact that the onus would be on the individual to make the claim would reduce the burden on the employer. Further, there at least would be a basis on which...

My Lords, I support this amendment as I did in Grand Committee—not because I go along with the dire warnings of the noble Baroness, Lady Miller of Hendon, about the possibility of fraud. That was certainly the main thrust of her argument, if not the only argument. The likelihood of fraudulent claims over additional...

My Lords, I support this amendment as I did in Grand Committee—not because I go along with the dire warnings of the noble Baroness, Lady Miller of Hendon, about the possibility of fraud. That was certainly the main thrust of her argument, if not the only argument. The likelihood of fraudulent claims over additional...

moved Amendment No. 15:"Page 12, line 10, at end insert—" ““( ) The higher sum so specified shall not be greater than 110 per cent of the current maximum amount of a week’s pay immediately prior to the date of the order.”” The noble Baroness said: My Lords, Amendment No. 15 in Clause 14 introduces the concept of uprating...

moved Amendment No. 15:"Page 12, line 10, at end insert—" ““( ) The higher sum so specified shall not be greater than 110 per cent of the current maximum amount of a week’s pay immediately prior to the date of the order.”” The noble Baroness said: My Lords, Amendment No. 15 in Clause 14 introduces the concept of uprating...

My Lords, I will be brief. Although the Government are clearly not in a position to restore the link between redundancy pay and average earnings, we regard this measure as a step in the right direction. Despite the fact that we deplore the Government’s coyness in not telling us how much...

My Lords, I will be brief. Although the Government are clearly not in a position to restore the link between redundancy pay and average earnings, we regard this measure as a step in the right direction. Despite the fact that we deplore the Government’s coyness in not telling us how much...

My Lords, in response to the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, I always try to be refreshingly frank in these matters. She will certainly bring me to book if I am not. Perhaps I may challenge her on trying to put words in my mouth about where we are going on this. There was certainly...

My Lords, in response to the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, I always try to be refreshingly frank in these matters. She will certainly bring me to book if I am not. Perhaps I may challenge her on trying to put words in my mouth about where we are going on this. There was certainly...