Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Makin Review

Thursday 16 January 2025 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Makin review made 27 recommendations, some of which have been implemented.
  • Church Commissioners are aware of Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley's concerns about implementation.
  • Church needs to hold more people accountable as highlighted by the Makin review.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marsha De Cordova Lab
Safeguarding & DBS Religion & Faith
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Marsha De Cordova

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact progress on each recommendation was not provided; only a general statement about ongoing work was given.

How: Under Consideration

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Q2 Chi Onwurah Lab
Safeguarding & DBS Religion & Faith
Context

The Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, has been championing the voices of victims following the publication of the Makin report.

Question

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?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific concerns of Bishop Hartley were not addressed directly; only a general statement about the process was provided.

How: Under Review

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Q3 Gavin Williamson Con
Religion & Faith
Context

The Makin report identified several senior figures within the Church of England, including bishops and church executives.

Question

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?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific action or timeline was provided; only a general statement about the importance of accountability was given.

How: Will Focus On

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Q4 Richard Baker Lab
Safeguarding & DBS Religion & Faith
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: A specific timeline for a permanent system was not provided; only ongoing processes were mentioned.

How: Under Consideration

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