Lords Tighten Child Protection, Back Deepfake Crackdown

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords held four Oral Questions on cities’ roles in COP climate talks, early years education, large‑scale waste crime, and UK support for US boardings of sanctioned vessels. Peers then examined the New Medium Helicopter programme and the forthcoming defence investment plan. During Report on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the House agreed to senior sign‑off before ending child protection plans for under‑5s and to delay new multi‑agency child protection teams pending an evaluation; other amendments on family decision‑making, nursery safeguarding, information sharing, child contact centres and neglect were debated. Ministers also made a Statement on non‑consensual sexual deepfakes, confirming the creation/request offence would be commenced this week, an Ofcom investigation into X, and plans to ban nudification tools. Later, the House agreed a new duty to consult kinship families on local offers; proposed accelerated kinship approval reforms were defeated.

Detailed Summary

COP Climate Negotiations: Cities – Oral Question

Asked on behalf of Lord Rees of Easton, Lord Hunt pressed for a formal role for cities at COP. Minister Lord Whitehead said the Government engages with C40 and civil society to inform the UK’s mandate, but COP talks are state‑led: “negotiations are therefore primarily among parties’ government representatives” [ref: a1719.4/2]. He endorsed sub‑national action in the US, noting “14 US cities in the C40 group” and that the UK should “engage fully with all those actors” [ref: a1719.6/1]. He cited UK support at COP28 for the CHAMP pledge to centre multilevel action [“support for… the CHAMP pledge”] [ref: a1721.0/1], and said the UK funds C40 projects “running to multi‑million pounds” [ref: a1721.6/1]. He added Great British Energy will back “100 local projects up and down the country” [ref: a1721.4/2] and said last year had “more than 80 days” powered wholly by renewables [ref: a1722.1/2]. Outcome: no policy change; continued engagement and support for city‑level action.

Early Years Education – Oral Question

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked about early years investment. Baroness Blake said evidence shows quality early education improves “well‑being, attainment and employability,” and the Government is investing “close to £1.5 billion” to increase access and quality [ref: a1722.4/1]. She highlighted cross‑department working and evidence‑based policy [ref: a1723.0/1; a1724.3/1]. On screen time and language development, she said guidance must reach parents and that adult device use matters too [ref: a1723.2/1], stressing that “children’s language skills at the age of five are the biggest indicator of later attainment” [ref: a1723.4/1]. She welcomed IFS evidence on Sure Start and pointed to Best Start family hubs [ref: a1724.1/1]. On timelines for screen‑use guidance for early years settings: “I do not know the answer to that” [ref: a1724.5/1]. No decisions were announced.

Large‑scale Waste Crime – Oral Question

Earl Russell asked about the extent of waste crime. Baroness Hayman of Ullock said the Environment Agency recorded “176 active, high‑risk, illegal waste sites at the end of March 2025” while acknowledging hidden prevalence [ref: a1726.0/1]. She outlined digital waste tracking and potential satellite and machine‑learning tools, plus extra funds and work on an EA levy and landfill tax policy [ref: a1726.2/1]. She said prosecutions take time and that “prevention and disruption work is just as important,” adding “the status quo is not acceptable” [ref: a1726.4/1]. On Kidlington, she called the situation “utterly appalling” but “exceptional”, with clearance due to fire risk [ref: a1727.1/1; a1728.5/1]. She is “happy to look at all options,” noting a >50% budget increase (£5.6m) and JUWC expansion [ref: a1728.0/1]. No new policies were announced; updates to follow “in due course” [ref: a1726.2/1].

Boarding of Sanctioned Vessels – Oral Question

Baroness Goldie asked about UK support for US boardings. Lord Coaker said requests would be assessed case‑by‑case and with a clear legal basis, adding the UK “will not stand by as malign activity increases on the high seas” [ref: a1729.2/1; a1729.4/2]. He reported sanctions’ impact—“544 vessels have had sanctions imposed… with 200… sidelined” and Russia’s oil revenues down 27% on October 2024 [ref: a1730.1/1]. On legal grounds, “these ships are operating as either false flag or stateless vessels” [ref: a1731.3/1]. He noted RAF surveillance aircraft and an RFA ship supported a recent interdiction [ref: a1730.3/1]. Outcome: no specific operational commitments; actions considered on legal grounds.

New Medium Helicopter Contract – Commons Urgent Question (taken in the Lords)

Peers sought clarity on the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme and the future of Leonardo’s Yeovil site. The Government said: “The Government will make a final decision on the award of the NMH contract through the wider defence investment plan” [ref: a1732.2/3], with timing tied to the plan. Ministers cited ongoing spending and contracts, saying they are in “constant discussions with Leonardo” but decisions await the DIP [ref: a1733.0/1; a1734.2/1]. Concerns were raised about workforce, exports, and SME finance; the Government urged institutions to support defence firms [“need to wake up to the threat environment”] [ref: a1735.3/1]. No timetable was given.

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Report): Family group decision‑making (Clause 1)

Baroness Barran probed terminology to ensure evidence‑based family group conferences underpin practice. The Government tabled Amendment 4 requiring local authorities to ascertain and give due consideration to a child’s wishes and feelings: “a local authority must… ascertain the child’s wishes and feelings” [ref: a1743.1/2]. Ministers said they will set out “clear principles in statutory guidance… informed by the evidence‑based family group conference model,” noting “80% of authorities already use this model” [ref: a1740.0/5]. They resisted prescribing a single model in primary law to retain flexibility [ref: a1740.0/7]. Outcome: Amendment 1 withdrawn; Government Amendment 4 agreed. Next: updated statutory guidance later this year [ref: a1742.2/5; a1743.1/3; a1740.0/7].

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Report): Child protection and multi‑agency teams (Clause 3)

Baroness Barran’s Amendment 6, requiring director‑level sign‑off before ending child protection plans for under‑5s once proceedings begin, passed (Ayes 278, Noes 176) [ref: a1757.1/1]. The Government said plans “should end only through a child protection conference” when safety is assured [ref: a1750.1/4]. Government Amendments 12 and 14 broadened police nominees to include officers or relevant staff “who… has experience in child protection” [ref: a1764.2/2; a1765.1/2]; Ministers clarified volunteer special constables would not be appropriate [ref: a1752.1/1]. A policy statement confirms MACPTs will deliver “all statutory child protection functions” [ref: a1752.1/2]. In a close vote, Amendment 17 delaying Clause 3’s commencement until a pathfinder evaluation is laid was agreed (Ayes 213, Noes 211) [ref: a1766.2/1]. Ministers indicated provisions would not commence “before late 2027” [ref: a1754.0/6].

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Report): Early years safeguarding and nursery chains (Clause 2)

Lord Storey proposed stronger duties for large nursery chains and chain‑level Ofsted oversight. The Government said existing law already places clear multi‑agency safeguarding duties on early years providers and Clause 2 reinforces inclusion; extra designation risks duplication [ref: a1762.0/3]. Ministers committed to work with Ofsted to review chain regulation and noted new safeguarding training requirements in the EYFS were introduced in September 2025 [ref: a1762.0/7; a1762.0/8]. Outcome: Amendment 7 withdrawn; others not moved [ref: a1764.0/5–a1764.0/7].

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Report): Information sharing and child identifiers (Clause 4)

Government technical amendments reflected the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. Ministers introduced an information standard and a code of practice for a consistent child identifier, confirming they are piloting the “NHS number only” and aim to lay regulations “before the end of this Parliament” [ref: a1773.0/8; a1773.0/10]. The Wigan pilot “improved the look‑up of NHS numbers… by 10 percentage points” but took nine months for information governance [ref: a1773.0/12]. Regulations will allow disclosure of the identifier to designated persons and clarify that duty of confidence is overridden [ref: a1776.1/5]. Outcome: Government Amendments 20–22 and 24–26 agreed.

Child contact centres – accreditation (Amendment 27)

Lord Meston (for Baroness McIntosh) proposed mandatory NACCC accreditation for all centres. Peers praised centres’ value and warned about unaccredited providers. The Government said NACCC already accredits “the majority of centres” and Cordis Bright found “only a small number of unaccredited contact centres” [ref: a1781.0/2]. Officials will work with NACCC to identify unaccredited sites, develop a protocol for mediators to use only accredited centres, and review mandatory training [ref: a1781.0/4]. Outcome: Amendment withdrawn [ref: a1783.1/4].

National child neglect strategy and reasonable punishment (Amendments 28 & 97)

Lord Storey (for Baroness Tyler) sought a national neglect strategy. Ministers said, “Protection from all forms of abuse, including neglect, is a key priority for the Government,” citing wider reforms and guidance rather than a standalone strategy [ref: a1796.3/2]. Amendment 28 was withdrawn [ref: a1798.0/1–a1798.0/2]. Baroness Finlay’s Amendment 97 would require a government review of Wales’ abolition of the reasonable punishment defence; Ministers said they will monitor changes in Wales and Scotland but saw no need for a statutory duty, noting investment in Best Start family hubs and Families First [ref: a1796.3/6–a1796.3/8]. Opinions diverged; no decision is recorded on Amendment 97. Separately, Government Amendments 72–74 will extend care‑provider ill‑treatment/wilful neglect offences to all under‑18s in regulated settings [ref: a1796.3/9–a1796.3/11].

Social Media: Non‑consensual Sexual Deepfakes – Statement

Ministers condemned non‑consensual deepfakes and confirmed that creating or requesting such images “will be brought into force this week” and made a priority offence [ref: a1798.2/4]. Ofcom “has opened a formal investigation into X” and can impose fines up to 10% of global revenue and, in serious cases, seek access restrictions [ref: a1798.2/5]. The Government will legislate in the Crime and Policing Bill to “criminalise nudification apps” [ref: a1798.2/6]. In Lords exchanges, Ministers said Ofcom should use its “full legal powers” and that participation on X is “under review” [ref: a1804.0/4; a1804.0/5]. Victim support via the Revenge Porn Helpline was highlighted [ref: a1806.0/1].

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Report, continued): Kinship care (Clause 5 and after)

The Government’s Amendment 29 adds a duty for local authorities to consult kinship families before publishing local offers and to publish a consultation report [“must—(a) consult relevant persons”] [ref: a1811.0/1]. It was agreed [ref: a1813.0/11]. Ministers announced a kinship allowance pilot to “support approximately 4,500 children” and confirmed kinship leave is within the parental leave/pay review, with day‑one eligibility for unpaid parental leave from April for carers with relevant orders [ref: a1813.0/4; a1813.0/6–a1813.0/7]. Baroness Barran’s Amendment 31 (to disapply foster‑panel reassessment) was withdrawn after the Government warned against removing safeguarding mechanisms without holistic reform [ref: a1816.1/8–a1816.1/10; a1819.1/2]. Amendment 32, to require a 12‑month review and regulations on kinship approvals, was defeated (Ayes 59, Noes 127) [ref: a1820.2/1]. The Government said a Law Commission kinship review is under way, with consultation in spring and “hoping for completion by summer 2027” [ref: a1816.1/12; a1819.0/1].