Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill do now pass. In doing so, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, for his kind comments and reciprocate by thanking all noble Lords on the opposition Benches, my own Benches and the Cross Benches for the constructive way in which the Bill has been debated and noble Lords’ good-natured determination to ensure that it provides the best possible solutions to two hugely important issues. I also take the opportunity to thank the many individuals and organisations that have been so important to the development and passage of the Bill. I also give a big thank-you to the Bill Team, which has supported me effectively through the Bill’s passage, for its patient explanations and thoroughly professional approach to the legislation. I believe that it has also engaged constructively with those on the opposition Benches. I look forward to Royal Assent so that we can get on with implementing the important reforms that the Bill makes to the way in which child maintenance is administered. It will lift more children out of poverty, and will ensure that more children receive the maintenance due to them and that more parents fulfil their obligations. The introduction of a new scheme to pay a lump sum to sufferers from mesothelioma, which we have not debated much, will provide financial support to anyone diagnosed with this terrible disease. For the first time, people who were not exposed through work will be able to qualify for a payment. I thank again all noble Lords who have contributed to the Bill’s progress through your Lordships’ House. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Bill passed, and returned to the Commons with amendments.