Domestic Violence

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Lord Laming

Tuesday 25th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, answering the second question first, I understand that there will be reports in the new year detailing the success of the rollout of “Clare’s law”. Certain fundings for different types of support for women and men in domestic abuse situations are committed until 2015 but I hope that, post the Autumn Statement, these will be rolled over until at least 2016.

[Lord Laming (CB)]

My Lords, in the light of the questions put today, do the Government accept that we all have a responsibility to help very young people understand that there is no place for violence in normal relationships, and certainly not in close family relationships?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, I totally agree with the noble Lord. We all lead by example, whether we are parents or people in public life, and schools also have a duty so that children in those environments are somehow engaged with and led to know that what is happening is wrong.

Local Authorities: Funding

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Lord Laming

Tuesday 18th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, this is just not the case. The most deprived councils receive, on average, 50% more than the least deprived. I will give examples from either end of the spectrum. Middlesbrough gets £2,500 per dwelling and Poole gets £1,678 per dwelling.

[Lord Laming (CB)]

My Lords, in the light of recent media reports, what steps are the Government taking to ensure that child protection services are improved, especially in those areas where the need is greatest?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

Child protection is an incredibly important area—certainly in light of some of the stories we have heard in recent weeks. All local authority officials working with children have a duty of care to those children. This is something we talked about a few weeks ago in terms of firming up some of those multidisciplinary arrangements. These are essential in joining together protections for children.

Child Abuse: Police Investigations

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Lord Laming

Wednesday 29th October 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, British national children, whether they are in this country or outside it, are of the highest priority for the Government. That is why some of the work being done on the internet has global reach. In fact, we are global leaders in this area.

[Lord Laming (CB)]

My Lords, can the Minister assure the House that progress has been made in training front-line staff and others to listen to children and take their concerns seriously—not necessarily without a critical view—and make sure that the full range of services is brought into play at the right time?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, the development of multiagency teams in this area has been very helpful over the years. Obviously, some organisations do it better than others but I am happy to write to the noble Lord in terms of where we have got to on this.