Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

Baroness Barker Excerpts

Thursday 22nd May 2025 Lords Chamber

Finally, on Amendment 63A, there are questions about when a consistent identifier is to first be applied. Examples there of issues that might arise relate to whether it is to be at birth or at entry into the country, or whether it is to be at the time of the first issue being raised regarding the child’s care. At what point is the consistent identifier to be applied? I note that the Minister has referenced a pilot using the NHS number. That would be self-explanatory, because that number applies from birth—but if that were not to be the case, and if there are other identifiers being considered, what are those identifiers and what is the system around them and the protections that will be attached to them? I beg to move.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Baroness Barker) (LD)]

I advise noble Lords that, if Amendment 50 were agreed to, Amendments 51 to 64 could not be called because of pre-emption.

[Lord Addington (LD)]

My Lords, these are probably the sorts of things that we should be doing in Committee. The noble Baroness introduced these amendments very well but I did, I am afraid—having known him for a long time—see the hand of the noble Lord, Lord Lucas, in them. It is definitely his style, as all those who have known him for a long time would say. These are definitely the sorts of questions that we need answered, about the practicality of what is going to happen. All systems will have their flaws, but this is about having the structure to cope with those flaws. Getting that through would be very valuable.

To give fair warning, I will not move my amendment on the NHS number identifier later on.