Nursery World - MPs to debate bills

Government plans to improve childcare, safeguard vulnerable children and extend parental rights were outlined in the Queen's Speech last week, revealing the 44 bills to be discussed during the next parliamentary session up to November 2006. They include a Childcare Bill that places a new duty on local authorities to ensure there is sufficient 'affordable and flexible' childcare in their area for families with children up to the age of 14.

They include a Childcare Bill that places a new duty on local authorities to ensure there is sufficient 'affordable and flexible' childcare in their area for families with children up to the age of 14.

The Parental Rights Bill will give mothers the choice of transferring a proportion of their statutory maternity pay and leave to their child's father. The new law will also extend maternity pay and adoption pay from six months to nine months by April 2007, with the ultimate aim of extending it to 12 months' leave.

The NSPCC welcomed the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Bill, which implements recommendations of the Bichard Enquiry for 'a registration scheme' to prevent unsuitable people from working with children. The DfES and the Department of Health are currently consulting on setting this up in England and Wales. The bill will also have links with Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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