Member

Finally, I support new clause 6, tabled by the hon. Member for Liverpool Wavertree (Paula Barker), on looked-after children. This issue came up in last week’s debate on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, and I spoke to it then. We need to do more to ensure that as corporate parents, which ultimately every single local authority is, we act like parents and that wider family. If a young person needs a deposit or a rent guarantee to enable them to get into the private rented sector when other options for housing are not available, we should look at that. I am not sure whether that measure will be voted on today, but in principle the hon. Lady has my support, and I hope we will be able to work together on that.