Member

Amendment 470 was tabled by my noble friend Lady Lister. In a similar vein, it would place a statutory duty on Ministers to have due regard to the UNCRC in exercising functions relating to children. On ratification, the Government made a commitment to give due regard to the UNCRC when making new policy or legislation. The slight implication from some noble Lords appears to be that, somehow, we are operating outwith the requirements of the UNCRC. To be clear, we are fully committed to children’s rights and the continued implementation of the UNCRC to make the convention a reality for all children and young people living in the UK. Article 4 of the UNCRC recognises that implementation of the rights in the convention may be achieved by legislative, administrative and other measures. Since ratification in 1991, implementation of the convention has been pursued through legislation and policy initiatives, including, very importantly, through legislation such as the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004. As I have already said, I believe this ambitious Bill demonstrates how we will advance children’s rights.