Child Poverty Bill: Lords second reading
6 January 2010 (updated on 22 April 2010)
Members of the House of Lords discussed the second reading - key principles - of the Child Poverty Bill on 5 January
The wide-ranging discussion covered topics including progress towards the 2020 target of ending child poverty, childcare costs, family breakdown and the Government's child poverty strategies.
- Lords Hansard: Child Poverty Bill - second reading debate
- Video & Audio: Child Poverty Bill - second reading debate
- Bills before Parliament: Child Poverty Bill
- Passage of a Bill: Second reading (Lords)
Second reading is the first opportunity for Members of the Lords to debate the main principles and purpose of the Bill and to flag up concerns and areas where they think changes (amendments) are needed.
The Government minister, spokesperson or Member of the Lords responsible for the Bill opens the debate.
Any Member can speak in the debate so this stage can indicate those Members particularly interested in the Bill - or a particular aspect of it - and those who are most likely to be involved in amending the Bill at later stages.
After second reading the Bill goes to committee stage - where detailed line by line examination of the Bill and discussion of amendments takes place.
The first day of committee stage on this Bill is scheduled for 19 January.