Child Poverty Bill

My Lords, I was not anticipating speaking but I will speak briefly in support of these amendments, particularly from the perspective of the Marmot national commission on inequalities in health, the report of which will be published on 11 February. I was a member of that commission. I was particularly struck by the comment of the noble Baroness, Lady Hollis, that children in families on benefits, living below the 60 per cent level, are not necessarily in severe hardship. That may be so, but the Marmot commission will certainly provide a considerable body of evidence to show that those children living and being brought up in poverty will have their lives blighted throughout, in health, employment prospects and many other areas. Certainly, if they continue in poverty they can expect some 17 years of additional disability in later life. I simply ask the Minister and the opposition spokespeople to take a good look at the Marmot commission report on or after 11 February. I think it should inform future policy on these issues.