Child Poverty Bill

The noble Lord is correct to say that Clause 6(1)(e) states that regulations may propose, ""how net household income is to be equivalised"." That is absolutely right. However, this does not occur just at the whim of the Secretary of State. Affirmative regulations would have to be laid and therefore there would be debate around it. I believe that we have included in the Peers’ information pack draft regulations which cover this point. It would not be just a case of a stroke of the pen of the Secretary of State. It would have to come before your Lordships’ House and the other place and there would be an opportunity for a full debate around that.