Report (1st Day)

Part of Welfare Reform Bill – in the House of Lords at 11:45 am on 22 October 2009.

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Amendment 1

Moved by Lord Northbourne

1: Before Clause 1, insert the following new Clause—

"General duty to have regard to the well-being of the child

(1) The Secretary of State, in discharging his functions under this Act, shall have regard to the well-being of any child likely to be affected by his decisions.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the meaning of "well-being of any child" includes—

(a) physical and mental health and social and emotional well-being;

(b) secure attachment and protection from harm and neglect;

(c) education, training and recreation;

(d) the contribution made by the child to society;

(e) social and economic well-being;

(f) age appropriate childcare, supervision and guidance."

(3) In the Jobseeker's Act 1995 (c. 18) after section 1 insert—

"1A Well-being of the child

The Secretary of State, in discharging his functions under this Act, shall have regard to the well-being of any child likely to be affected by his decisions."

(4) In the Welfare Reform Act 2007 (c. 5) after section 1 insert—

"1A Well-being of the child

The Secretary of State, in discharging his functions under this Act, shall have regard to the well-being of any child likely to be affected by his decisions.""