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| Welsh MP's child cruelty law in Queen's Speech | Welsh MP's child cruelty law in Queen's Speech |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ceredigion MP Mark Williams's campaign to tighten the law on child cruelty has won UK government backing. | Ceredigion MP Mark Williams's campaign to tighten the law on child cruelty has won UK government backing. |
| The Queen's Speech at the state opening of parliament included plans for a "Serious Crime Bill to tackle child neglect". | The Queen's Speech at the state opening of parliament included plans for a "Serious Crime Bill to tackle child neglect". |
| Mr Williams wants a "Cinderella law" that could see parents in England and Wales prosecuted. | Mr Williams wants a "Cinderella law" that could see parents in England and Wales prosecuted. |
| It was also confirmed that the Wales Bill would continue its passage though parliament. | It was also confirmed that the Wales Bill would continue its passage though parliament. |
| That bill will give the Welsh government some taxation and borrowing powers. | That bill will give the Welsh government some taxation and borrowing powers. |
| The proposals form part of David Cameron and Nick Clegg's plans for their coalition government's final year in power. | The proposals form part of David Cameron and Nick Clegg's plans for their coalition government's final year in power. |
| Mr Williams introduced his own private member's bill to change the law on child cruelty but it failed due to lack of parliamentary time. | Mr Williams introduced his own private member's bill to change the law on child cruelty but it failed due to lack of parliamentary time. |
| The Serious Crime Bill will extend the definition of child cruelty to ensure it covers the most serious cases of emotional neglect and psychological harm. | The Serious Crime Bill will extend the definition of child cruelty to ensure it covers the most serious cases of emotional neglect and psychological harm. |
| The bill will also outlaw written paedophile material. | The bill will also outlaw written paedophile material. |
| 'Powerless' | 'Powerless' |
| Mr Williams said the bill would allow agencies to work together more effectively to safeguard children. | Mr Williams said the bill would allow agencies to work together more effectively to safeguard children. |
| He said: "There is currently an anachronism in our laws where the physical or sexual abuse of children is criminal, but emotional and psychological abuse is only criminal if over-16s are the victims. | He said: "There is currently an anachronism in our laws where the physical or sexual abuse of children is criminal, but emotional and psychological abuse is only criminal if over-16s are the victims. |
| "There is a mismatch between a civil law that recognises the damage which emotional and psychological abuse has on children, and an outdated Victorian-era criminal law which doesn't. | "There is a mismatch between a civil law that recognises the damage which emotional and psychological abuse has on children, and an outdated Victorian-era criminal law which doesn't. |
| "This modernisation of our laws, a major victory for all those involved in safeguarding children across the UK, will seek to bridge that disparity." | "This modernisation of our laws, a major victory for all those involved in safeguarding children across the UK, will seek to bridge that disparity." |
| The MP said there had been a number of cases involving children who had been "emotionally and psychologically abused" by their parents but the police and criminal justice system were "powerless to do anything". | The MP said there had been a number of cases involving children who had been "emotionally and psychologically abused" by their parents but the police and criminal justice system were "powerless to do anything". |
| UK ministers' 11-bill programme outlined in the Queen's Speech included plans for major pension reforms, with changes to annuities and workplace schemes. | UK ministers' 11-bill programme outlined in the Queen's Speech included plans for major pension reforms, with changes to annuities and workplace schemes. |
| Employees will be allowed to pay into collective pension funds shared with other workers, a move it is hoped will cut costs and encourage saving. | |
| There are bills proposed to give older people more control of their pension pots and to give working parents tax breaks for childcare bills. | |
| England will follow Wales in introducing a charge for plastic bags, | |
| Voters will also be given limited powers to force by-elections if MPs misbehave. | |
| 'Zombie government' | |
| Welsh Secretary David Jones said the legislative programme "reaffirms our commitment to improve the lives of people in Wales and across the United Kingdom". | Welsh Secretary David Jones said the legislative programme "reaffirms our commitment to improve the lives of people in Wales and across the United Kingdom". |
| But Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd said it was an "uninspired Queen's Speech delivered by a government that has well and truly run out of steam". | But Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd said it was an "uninspired Queen's Speech delivered by a government that has well and truly run out of steam". |
| He said: "With pensions being the only announcement of real substance, there are strong indications that the coalition itself is ready for retirement. | He said: "With pensions being the only announcement of real substance, there are strong indications that the coalition itself is ready for retirement. |
| "Plaid Cymru offers the Dutch-style collective pension scheme a cautious welcome, as well as viewing the strengthening of the law in relation to child abuse and neglect as a positive move." | "Plaid Cymru offers the Dutch-style collective pension scheme a cautious welcome, as well as viewing the strengthening of the law in relation to child abuse and neglect as a positive move." |
| Labour described the programme as a light workload for a "zombie government". |