Speaking during a debate in parliament, the junior minister said the government disagreed with a legal opinion published by Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM).
The opinion indicated that under sections 20 (1) and 17 of the Children Act 1989 and sections 2 and 28A of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, a right to short breaks could exist (CYP Now, 9-15 January).
But Lord Adonis said other areas of the acts show there is no entitlement: "We therefore do not believe there is an existing enforceable legal right to short breaks. Nor do we consider that the best way to improve short-break provision is through the imposition of a new duty."
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