Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 6 December 2010, Official Report, column 7WS, what consideration his Department has given to the articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child when making new policy and legislation since May 2015.

Being able to analyse properly the impact of polices in relation to particular groups is a fundamental part of good policy-making. This is done a range of ways, including through engagement with civil society and professionals.

Cabinet Office guidance to all Government departments advises that child rights impact assessments should be undertaken on policy and legislative changes, and Impact Assessments are regularly undertaken where the child is directly affected by proposed changes.

In addition, the Government has a responsibility to undertake:

• The Equalities Impact Assessment, which ensures that decision-makers understand the impact on protected groups.

• A Family Test that helps us to understand the impact of new policies on families and children.

All Bills introduced by Treasury ministers are published with a memorandum confirming that the Bill is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the provisions of which overlap with those of the UNCRC to a considerable extent.