Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020

Lord McColl of Dulwich Excerpts

Tuesday 13th October 2020 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

Yes, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen, did say that. The Lord Chancellor has set up a working group to assess any evidence to change the law on financial provision for divorce. This review will be led by evidence, which is yet to be gathered, on whether there are problems with the current law. The Ministry of Justice is considering the membership and terms of reference of that working group.

[Lord McColl of Dulwich (Con) [V]]

My Lords, can you hear me?

[The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)]

Yes, we can. Go on, Lord McColl.

[Lord McColl of Dulwich (Con) [V]]

[Inaudible]—the Lord Chancellor made a commitment that the Government will

“work harder to co-ordinate, to bring together the strands of policy that sit with various Departments and to ensure that we have a family policy that is fit for the 2020s”.—[Official Report, Commons, 17/6/20; col. 902.]

Can my noble friend report on what progress has been made in fulfilling that pledge?

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

The Ministry of Justice is involved in ongoing work with other government departments aimed at strengthening families and providing more joined-up support for those facing or experiencing relationship breakdown. The first meeting of that cross-government group took place earlier this month. The noble Lord may also be aware of the £2.5 million in the Budget that the Government are investing in research on how best to integrate family services, including family hubs.