Member

Like others, I should make it absolutely clear that I welcome the changes in the rights of children and young people, so that they have autonomy about who they choose—that is important and we certainly do not want to go backwards. But it is just not clear how this will operate for under-18s, particularly as regards parental responsibility. I know that this concern was shared by the Joint Committee that scrutinised the Bill, which, as we have heard, recommended that the Government consult on how the nominated person provision will apply to under-18s in relation to any potential conflicts with other legislation, particularly the Children Act. I also know that the committee also called on the Government to come forward with some new proposals in this area.