Childcare Bill

I am very glad that we got to this important issue in time for the noble Lord, Lord Rix, to fulfil his engagements at the National Theatre this evening, which, as I understand it, are to do with a play by Granville-Barker about the evils of plutocracy in 19th century Britain—an issue entirely foreign in the modern age! This is a vital issue, and we take extremely seriously the concerns of all noble Lords and the charities that support the amendment. That is why my honourable friend Maria Eagle and I met the noble Lord, Lord Rix, and my noble friend Lord Carter, along with representatives of Mencap, to discuss this in further detail. I also commend Mencap and join the noble Baroness, Lady Morris, in doing so, on the vital support that they offer families with disabled children. They play a vital role in helping us to formulate our policies and better to understand the lives of disabled children and their families and the challenges that they face. Indeed, it is the relentless hard work of charities such as Mencap that ensures that the Government continue to strive towards improving outcomes and equality for everyone. On the specific issue of the amendment, I could recite the provisions in the Bill and why they all move in the direction that we all wish to see, including the higher age limit already in place in respect of disabled children, as against other children. But I take all that as read for the purposes of this debate. My honourable friend Maria Eagle and I, when we met the noble Lord, Lord Rix, and my noble friend Lord Carter last week, extended our wholehearted sympathy to the intentions behind the amendment. I reiterate that today. We shall consider very carefully before Report whether we can make further changes to meet its objective. However, we need to think carefully about what is the most effective way of securing appropriate services for disabled young people over the age of 16. It is in that context that I give a commitment to consider this further.