Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Technology-assisted Child Sexual Abuse

Tuesday 11 November 2025 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mrs Elsie Blundell raised concern about the use of technology in child sexual abuse and inquired about expanding the unduly lenient sentence scheme for such offences.
  • Carla Lockhart questioned the Police Service of Northern Ireland's capacity to manage cyber crimes, citing a case involving Alexander McCartney that led to the deaths of 70 children.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of addressing the proliferation of online child sexual abuse crimes and the need for appropriate measures to tackle such issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Elsie Blundell Lab Heywood and Middleton North
Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
Context

The increasing use of technology in the exploitation and abuse of children is a growing concern, leading to calls for enhanced legal measures.

Question

I am concerned about the increasing and sinister use of technology in the appalling sexual abuse of children and young people. To address this issue, will the Minister consider extending the unduly lenient sentence scheme to include all TACSA offences and commit to a ban on the technologies that generate deepfake and sexually abusive images of children?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones)

My hon. Friend asks an important question. Parliament intended the unduly lenient sentence scheme to be an exceptional power, and any expansion of the scheme must be carefully considered. She will be aware that we had a recent debate on this issue in considering the Victims and Courts Bill. I have heard the strength of feeling in this House and among campaigners on this matter, and I am looking at it closely.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to ban technologies generating deepfake images was not addressed

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Q2 Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann
Policing & Resources Safeguarding & DBS
Context

A recent report by the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland highlighted a lack of capacity and capability within the PSNI's cyber-crimes team to manage prolific online sex offenders, resulting in tragic consequences.

Question

Yesterday, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland reported that the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s cyber-crimes team lacked the capacity and capability to manage the threat posed by prolific online sex offender Alexander McCartney. His abuse led to the tragic death of 70 other children. Will the Minister confirm what steps are being taken to ensure that cyber-crime teams across the whole of the UK are properly resourced to deal with online child sexual exploitation?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones)

The whole House will have been shocked by that horrific case, and all our thoughts are with all the victims. It is an important case that draws attention to the nature and proliferation of these crimes. I know that my hon. Friend the Minister for Safeguarding has spoken to the PSNI on this case. There are powers through the Online Safety Act 2023; however, I am aware that the hon. Lady represents a nation where there is a devolved Administration. This is imperative. These crimes have no borders, and all victims deserve protection.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for resource allocation were not provided

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