Welfare Reform Bill

My Lords, I should like to delay the Committee for only two minutes by quoting from Supporting Families in the Foundation Years, published this autumn by Sarah Teather. I am speaking to Amendment 30B. In that policy statement, that Minister says: "““The Government is clear that all young children, whatever their background or current circumstances, deserve the best possible start in life and must be given the opportunity to fulfil their potential. But this is not just about doing the best for individual children and families. A strong focus on the first few years of children's lives leads to huge economic, social and emotional benefits later on, both for individuals and for society as a whole””." The executive summary states: "““The foundation years are critically important for children and their families … the Government’s vision … is for everyone who commissions, leads and delivers services for mothers and fathers during pregnancy and for very young children, to the age of five””." The summary continues by saying that the policy, "““has been developed jointly by the Department for Education and the Department of Health, with advice from a range of experienced professionals””." Therefore, if the noble Lord were to reject this amendment, the Government would be speaking with forked tongues. I have a further important quote from the summary to the report. It states: "““Children’s health is strongly influenced by what happens in the womb and the first two years of life, and the mother’s health and wellbeing and health behaviours in pregnancy, including smoking, nutrition and obesity””." I rest my case.