Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Child Safeguarding

Monday 27 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

  • Labour dismissed safeguarding measures in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill as a distraction
  • The Secretary of State highlighted the Conservative government's 14-year failure to protect vulnerable children
  • The Secretary of State addressed concerns from parents about home schooling provisions in the Bill

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Akehurst Lab North Durham
Safeguarding & DBS Children & Families
Context

After the tragic cases of Star Hobson, Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Sara Sharif, which raised concerns about child protection measures.

Question

Last week, the Leader of the Opposition dismissed safeguarding measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill as a distraction. After the tragic cases of Star Hobson, Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Sara Sharif, will the Secretary of State remind Opposition Members why those measures are vital if we are to protect children?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)

Opposition Members might not like it, but that is what the Leader of the Opposition said. The Conservatives had 14 years to stop vulnerable children falling through the cracks. Now is the time for action—no more empty words or lessons learned. Labour has brought forward the single biggest piece of child protection legislation in a generation, but the Conservatives refuse to back it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address why the measures are vital as requested.

How: Empty Words, Lessons Learned

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Q1 Luke Akehurst Lab North Durham
Safeguarding & DBS Children & Families
Context

After the tragic cases of Star Hobson, Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Sara Sharif, which raised concerns about child protection measures.

Question

Last week, the Leader of the Opposition dismissed safeguarding measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill as a distraction. After the tragic cases of Star Hobson, Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Sara Sharif, will the Secretary of State remind Opposition Members why those measures are vital if we are to protect children?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)

Opposition Members might not like it, but that is what the Leader of the Opposition said. The Conservatives had 14 years to stop vulnerable children falling through the cracks. Now is the time for action—no more empty words or lessons learned. Labour has brought forward the single biggest piece of child protection legislation in a generation, but the Conservatives refuse to back it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address why the measures are vital as requested.

How: Empty Words, Lessons Learned

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Q2 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Education Safeguarding & DBS
Context

Concerns have been raised by home schooling representatives about the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Question

The Secretary of State should consider what she just said. The Bill has specific clauses about home schooling. I know that the Labour Government do not like any form of education that is not in state-run, local authority schools, but those who home school have significant concerns that the Bill will put unfair burdens on them and will change the relationship between those who are lawfully and legally educating their children at home and the state. Will she meet home schooling representatives to discuss their concerns and to ensure that while the Bill contains the relevant safeguarding, those who home school are made to feel that they are contributing to their children’s welfare?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)

Parents who choose to home educate their children are within their rights to do so. Those who provide a safe, loving environment and a good standard of education have nothing to be concerned about in the legislation. We are concerned about the growing number of children of whom we simply have no visibility. The Bill will ensure that where there are serious concerns about child protection and safeguarding, such as where a section 47 investigation is under way, the local authority must consent to home education.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not commit to meeting representatives or addressing their specific concerns.

How: Within Rights, Concerns

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Q2 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Education Safeguarding & DBS
Context

Concerns have been raised by home schooling representatives about the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Question

The Secretary of State should consider what she just said. The Bill has specific clauses about home schooling. I know that the Labour Government do not like any form of education that is not in state-run, local authority schools, but those who home school have significant concerns that the Bill will put unfair burdens on them and will change the relationship between those who are lawfully and legally educating their children at home and the state. Will she meet home schooling representatives to discuss their concerns and to ensure that while the Bill contains the relevant safeguarding, those who home school are made to feel that they are contributing to their children’s welfare?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)

Parents who choose to home educate their children are within their rights to do so. Those who provide a safe, loving environment and a good standard of education have nothing to be concerned about in the legislation. We are concerned about the growing number of children of whom we simply have no visibility. The Bill will ensure that where there are serious concerns about child protection and safeguarding, such as where a section 47 investigation is under way, the local authority must consent to home education.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not commit to meeting representatives or addressing their specific concerns.

How: Within Rights, Concerns

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