Constituents have contacted me about my vote on the Conservative amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, calling for another national inquiry into child exploitation. A few have said that opposing this amendment means I don’t take child sexual abuse seriously or that I’m complicit in covering up grooming gangs. That is untrue, offensive and, most importantly, does not help to protect children in Newcastle.
Child sexual abuse is a devastating and horrific crime. There are undoubtedly children in Newcastle suffering at this moment. They must be at the centre of our thoughts and actions. Over the years I have met with and listened to victims, survivors and their advocacy groups. In May last year I helped launch the Report on the Jay Review of Criminally Exploited Children in Newcastle whilst in 2018 I led a debate in Parliament on Child Sexual Abuse in Newcastle following Operation Sanctuary and calling for more support for victims and the implementation of the Spicer Review. The Tories did nothing. Over the last several months, and long before the current headlines, I have been in continual contact with Northumbria Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner over the issue of grooming/rape gangs, working to identify whether there are gangs operating in Newcastle now, how to ensure potential victims are protected and perpetrators prosecuted.
While in opposition, Labour called for a national independent inquiry into child sexual abuse and supported the establishment of The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), led by Professor Alexis Jay. This landmark investigation heard from over 7000 survivors, examined millions of documents, and delivered clear recommendations for action in 61 reports.
The previous Conservative government left all the recommendations of this National Enquiry to gather dust and failed to implement a single one from the final report. Our Labour government is taking action now.
The Labour Bill I voted for will bring in vital changes that will make a real difference for vulnerable children:
- Legislating to make it mandatory to report abuse, making it an offence with professional and criminal sanctions to fail to report or to cover up child sexual abuse.
- Legislating to make grooming an aggravating factor in the sentencing of child sexual offences, to ensure the punishment fits the devastating crime.
- Revolutionising how we track and prevent abuse through a unified child identifier system.
- Strengthening the police performance framework, with new standards on public protection, child abuse, and exploitation.
The Conservative amendment was not about protecting children from rape, it was a cynical political move that would derail these crucial reforms by blocking the whole Children’s Wellbeing Bill. The Tories were asking us to call a halt to these new protections whilst yet another inquiry was undertaken which would take years. It wasn’t about seeking the truth it was about stopping progress and gathering headlines.
The Labour Government fully supports targeted investigations where appropriate, including local inquiries that can expose specific failings. After the 2018 Spicer Review into Newcastle abuse cases, I urged Tory Ministers repeatedly in writing and in the House of Commons for a government response.
We can’t let calls for more reviews stop us from acting now, which is what this Tory amendment would have done.
On Wednesday the choice before me was simple: delay protections for vulnerable children, or put in place concrete measures to keep them safe. I chose to act to protect children. Actions speak louder than words, and I voted for action.
I will continue to fight to rid Newcastle and the whole country of the scourge of grooming and child sexual abuse. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is a significant step in the right direction and I’m proud to support it.