Member

I want to speak briefly to the first amendment in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Young of Cookham, which was slightly changed. We have heard from right across the Committee how important this matter is. The noble Lord, Lord Russell, gave examples. I can give my own examples from teaching. I think I have mentioned in the House before a young carer whose name I can still remember—Terence or Terry—and who was always late for school because he was a young carer looking after his baby brother. His mother was not fit to look after him, I am afraid, because she was a lady of the night—a prostitute. He had to get up in the morning, look after and feed this child, and then get him off to nursery. Obviously, Terry was always late for school because he was a young carer. In terms of all the issues that we have discussed, this amendment is probably the most important; I thank noble Lords for highlighting it.