Government sets out intervention and inspection bills

In its final draft legislative programme before a general election, the government has outlined plans for an Improving Schools and Safeguarding Children's Bill, which would start pushing the commitments made in the 21st Century Schools White Paper through the legislative process.

These commitments include: improving monitoring arrangements for children educated at home, introducing intervention powers to tackle failing youth offending teams, and clarifying the role of Ofsted and other agencies in inspecting local safeguarding children's boards.

Another bill proposed in the programme is the Policing, Crime and Private Security Bill, which will include powers to support parents unable to cope with a child's antisocial behaviour.

The current consultation Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls, the results of which are due to be published in the autumn, is also expected to inform the bill to strengthen protection of women and girls.

Harriet Harman, Leader of the House of Commons, said: "This gives both the public and Parliament an opportunity to look across the programme as a whole and take a view as to whether the balance of priorities is right, whether there are important areas that have been missed out or areas of the programme that should be given lower priority."

To comment on the draft programme visit www.commonsleader.gov.uk.