Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to publish a consultation on proposals to implement a redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse.

The Final Report from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (the Inquiry) constitutes a watershed moment after seven years of investigation into how state and non-state institutions have failed to safeguard children from sexual abuse. We recognise the incredible courage of the 7,300 victims and survivors who came forward to share their stories with the Inquiry, and the over 6,000 victims and survivors who participated in the Truth Project. The Government is committed to keeping those voices at the heart of our response to the Final Report.

The Final Report deserves careful consideration. The Government will respond to all 20 recommendations in due course, noting the convention that it will do so within six months of the conclusion of a statutory inquiry. This will include responses to recommendation 19 which concerns implementation of a redress scheme and recommendation 15 which concerns limitation.

The Government’s Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, published in January 2021, sets out our long-term ambition to tackle all forms of child sexual abuse. Our programme of action, to stop offenders in their tracks, bring them to justice, safeguard children and provide support to victims and survivors, is supported by more than £60 million of direct HO investment each year.

We are considering the Inquiry’s recommendations in that context, evaluating how we can go further within our ongoing whole system approach to tackling child sexual abuse.