Member

Amendment 97, tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay, seeks to place a duty on the Secretary of State to review evidence from the Welsh Government on the impact of the abolition of reasonable punishment in Wales and report back to Parliament. I am grateful to the noble Baroness and other Peers for their passion and commitment to protecting children. It is right that we do all we can to safeguard those at risk of harm, and equally that we avoid unnecessary interventions in family life where children are safe, loved and well supported. The measures in the Bill strengthen protection for children at risk of abuse and neglect, introducing new safeguards to prevent children falling through the cracks. Alongside this, as I have said, we are investing £2.4 billion through the Families First Partnership programme and rolling out Best Start family hubs nationwide to improve support for families.