Lords reject Tory government’s plan to strip children of legal protections
![Peers voted 245-213 in favour of an amendment to scrap clause 29 of the bill in its entirety [Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA].](https://voxpoliticalonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/161109-Lords.png)
Peers voted 245-213 in favour of an amendment to scrap clause 29 of the bill in its entirety [Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA].
But here’s the thing: There really is no demonstrable need to change the law. What the Tories were planning to do was strip children of their legal protections, and that – in a country where allegations of paedophilia in children’s homes are rife – is unacceptable.
In fact, I would say it is unforgiveable.
The lack of any reasonable argument in favour of this measure suggests, to me, that somebody has demanded it of Tory ministers. The question now is whether they have enough influence to demand that it be re-inserted into the Bill, despite the clear opposition to it.
And what conclusions may we draw if it does indeed re-appear?
The government has suffered a defeat in the House of Lords over plans to allow councils to opt out of legal obligations to vulnerable children.
The crossbencher Lord Ramsbotham successfully moved an amendment to delete a prominent clause of the children and social work bill designed to give ministers extensive powers to sidestep children’s legal rights built up over decades.
The government argued that council social services departments were over-regulated and that proposed powers in clause 29 of the bill would free them to drive “innovation” in social work practice and make services more efficient.
But peers, who voted 245-213 in favour of an amendment to scrap the clause in its entirety, said ministers had failed to “win hearts and minds” and make a persuasive case for why the powers to strip away children’s rights were needed.
Source: Lords defeat government over child protection proposals | Society | The Guardian
Do you want Vox Political to cover a story? Use this form to tell us about it (but NOT to comment on the article above, please):
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
Hmm Perhaps more efficient for abusers to thrive!!
Many children in care have already been in abusive situations, they need more care and opportunities! There are too many Baby P’s out there because the SS don’t want the expense and responsibility of doing the job they are paid to do
The Social Services and child services track record is appalling. Once again the Lords seem to have displayed far more common sense, or maybe maturity, than those on the commons benches who should get out more and sample real life as opposed to their closet know-all existence.