Statement: Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill

No child should ever have to experience sexual abuse. These are horrifying crimes that cause immense harm to the children involved, and it is vital that we take action to stop them. This includes ensuring that perpetrators face the full force of the law and that robust steps are taken to prevent such crimes from happening in the future.

The seven-year Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, that came out in 2022, produced 20 recommendations to better protect children. Tragically, the previous Conservative government failed to act on these recommendations. Their inaction has been shameful and must not be allowed to continue. As a first priority, the government must focus on implementing these recommendations as quickly as possible, with clear timescales and regular reporting to Parliament on their progress. This includes creating a dedicated Child Protection Authority, strengthening the criminal justice response to these cases, and appointing a new Minister for Children.

Conservative Amendment and Liberal Democrat Approach

Voting for the Conservatives’ amendment last week would not secure a national inquiry for victims of child sexual abuse. It was a Reasoned Amendment to the Second Reading of the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, which would have blocked the Bill from progressing through Parliament. That Bill includes many important measures relating to child protection and safeguarding that we have long been calling for.

For this reason as well, the Liberal Democrats did not support the Conservatives’ amendment, as it would have prevented the passage of vital safeguarding measures. Instead, we took a constructive approach and, unlike the Conservatives and Reform UK, did not treat this serious matter like a political football – why did the Conservatives never implement the report when in government if they are so passionate about it...

Liberal Democrat Actions

Motion to Implement Jay Inquiry Recommendations: The Liberal Democrat have put down a motion calling on the Government to implement the Jay inquiry recommendations in full, with regular reports to Parliament on their progress.
Amendment to Strengthen the Bill: We put down an amendment at the committee stage of the Bill to call for these recommendations to be enacted in full. This is proper opposition, not cheap politicking. Our amendments would have strengthened, not wrecked, the Bill – https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/59-01/0151/amend/children_rm_pbc_0109.pdf
Mandatory Reporting of Sexual Abuse: We welcome the decision by the Government to include a duty of mandatory reporting of sexual abuse in the Bill, which will require people working with children and in positions of trust to report allegations of child sexual abuse to the relevant authorities. We will hold the Government to account on this commitment.

As the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill passes through Parliament, Liberal Democrats will use every opportunity to push for real action to tackle the child sexual abuse scandal. We will also keep up the pressure to ensure the government doesn’t drag its heels, so that the action needed to make our communities safe for girls and all children finally happens.

A Clear Path Forward

If another inquiry is what is needed to drive genuine progress and justice, we will support it. However, it is critical that any new inquiry builds on the work already done and does not delay much-needed reforms. We owe it to the victims to ensure that promises of protection and accountability are turned into real action.

Please rest assured that I will continue to advocate for the protection of the most vulnerable in our society and support measures that ensure accountability and justice for victims. Just to reiterate, if it still felt that a new inquiry is needed after the last one has been fully implemented, I will support it.