Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Makin report, published on 18 October 2024, detailed the abuse suffered by children at the hands of John Smyth. The report made 27 recommendations to address the issue.
In the meeting I had with representatives from the Archbishops’ Council, I raised the need for the Makin review to be a defining and watershed moment for the Church. The review made 27 recommendations, some of which have already been implemented. I am awaiting a full and thorough update from the Church on the detailed progress being made on each recommendation.
Following the Makin review, colleagues such as my hon. Friend and many represented here today have rightly been raising their concerns about safeguarding in the Church. This week I met representatives from the Archbishops’ Council to raise my concerns robustly. The Church’s national safeguarding team is now at stage three of its four-stage process to assess and deal with the risk posed by those criticised in the Makin review, which is rightly welcomed.
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Assessment & feedback
The exact progress on each recommendation was not provided; only a general statement about ongoing work was given.
Under Consideration
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, has been championing the voices of victims following the publication of the Makin report.
I pay tribute to my ecclesiastical co-worker, the Right Reverend Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Newcastle, for her leadership and courage in championing the voices of victims in the wake of the Makin review. Are the Church Commissioners aware of her ongoing concerns about the implementation of the review? In particular, what can they do to ensure that dioceses have the resources necessary to implement a high standard of safeguarding?
My hon. Friend rightly raises the work that her own bishop has been doing in her constituency on this issue. The Church’s national safeguarding team is now at stage three of its four-stage process to assess and deal with the risk posed by those criticised in the Makin review, which is rightly welcomed. In addition, the Church institutions have developed the two model proposals on safeguarding, which will go to the Synod in February.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific concerns of Bishop Hartley were not addressed directly; only a general statement about the process was provided.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Makin report identified several senior figures within the Church of England, including bishops and church executives.
What was so tragic was that so few senior voices were being heard in the Anglican Church. The Makin review named the Bishop of Lincoln and the bishop in charge of the Episcopal Church, but so few people have been held to account. Will the hon. Lady please ensure that more people are properly held to account and that some of the people who have been named are cleared out of those top jobs?
The right hon. Member makes a critical point. It is so important for the Church to view this as the chance to turn a corner and make it a watershed moment. We need change, and those responsible must be held to account.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific action or timeline was provided; only a general statement about the importance of accountability was given.
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Both the Makin report and the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse highlighted the need for independent oversight of the Church’s safeguarding measures.
The urgent need for independent scrutiny of the Church’s safeguarding procedures was highlighted both by the Makin report and by the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse. What are the current arrangements for independent scrutiny of safeguarding following the dismissal of the Church’s independent safeguarding board? What is the timescale for having a permanent system for independent scrutiny in place?
Independent scrutiny of the Church’s safeguarding work is extremely important. The Church commissioned a series of audits on dioceses and cathedrals by independent safeguarding experts, and several have been completed and published. The independently chaired national safeguarding panel, which includes victims and survivors among its members, currently scrutinises safeguarding.
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Assessment & feedback
A specific timeline for a permanent system was not provided; only ongoing processes were mentioned.
Under Consideration
Response accuracy