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Baroness Dianne Hayter of Kentish Town Lords Grand Committee debate on Government response to After The Riots: The Final Report of the Riots, Communities and Victims Panel Congratulate my noble friend for opening the debate with clarity, commitment and passion.

In 5 days in August: 5,000 crimes committed, 15,000 rioted across 66 areas, 5 people lost their lives. Many more lost their businesses or homes.

We live in challenging times: high youth unemployment and lack of opportunities for youngsters, perceptions of poor parenting; lack of shared values; our inability to prevent re-offending; high brand awareness; declining confidence in policing.

A parallel Report, commissioned by Enfield Council, recommended that the police ensure that their approach to young adults is proportionate, and that the police should be more representative of the local community. Recommendations for Enfield Council itself all related to young people.

We all have a duty to help create a climate of hope, and to ensure that those who are not resilient enough to cope with todays challenges are supported, not further marginalised and excluded. And we must tackle the deep-seated problems which contributed to the riots. Our questions today are about the governments response or non-response to the Report of the Riots Panel, to whose members I pay tribute. (MS: off rioting)

The riots were not carried out by children, nor gang members, nor were they race riots. They were largely the actions of young adults. Overwhelming majority of those charged were MALE, with a previous conviction. 9 out of 10 apprehended were known to the police.

Almost one half of the under 18 year olds charged lived in poverty; 70% in the 30% most deprived postcode areas in the country The report suggests there are half a million forgotten families never quite hitting the threshold required to get the help they need. No one member quite reaches that threshold but, as a whole, the family is dysfunctional. They experience problems not as individuals, but as a family.

This is where intervention is needed, to identify children with actual or potential needs.

The Panel recommends extending the Family Nurse Partnership Programme to all teenage mothers. Has the government agreed to this, and if so, when will it happen?

What discussions have been held with social services and schools about contacting absent fathers?

What progress has been made in involving business both in local schools, and in creating work experience placements?

Is the government working with the ASA and manufacturers to reduce advertising aimed at the young?

Given that one in 3 think the police are corrupt, and one in 5 that they are dishonest, how will the Home Office and Police engage with communities about the impact of such perceptions on their effectiveness?

Given that police numbers were not sufficient, how does the government assess the further reduction of 16,000 ? (especially following the perception that the police initially lost control of the streets, encouraging some to test reactions in other areas).

How many small businesses are still awaiting compensation?

My Lords, we need to find and deal with those who broke the law and damaged their communities. No-one excuses their behaviour. But jail or fines is not the end of the story. Whilst I do not believe society is broke, there are those who are or feel excluded from the lives that most of us live. They have little hope; little access to the benefits of our countrys wealth and diversity and no expectation of much change.

We must rise to the challenge of providing greater inclusion, earlier intervention in families at risk, improved community solidarity and, above all, a fairer share of what this country has to offer.