The Rt Hon Ken Clarke, QC, MP
Secretary of State for Justice
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ
1st August 2012
Dear Ken,
Action for Children is calling on the Government to review the criminal law that covers child neglect in England and Wales.
I understand the current law was first written in 1933 and fails to reflect the full range of harm neglected children suffer.
It also leaves parents unclear about their responsibilities towards children and, rather than trying to improve parenting, only seeks to punish parents after neglect has happened.
You will know that child neglect is a major feature of life in the UK. It affects up to 10 per cent of all UK children, ruining lives, robbing children of the childhood they deserve, and tearing families apart.
Changing the law on child neglect to reform the sentencing options for criminal neglect, to ensure what happens to neglectful parents is in the best interests of the child, would help keep children safe.
I therefore hope this might be possible as part of the Crime and Courts Bill.
Please would you commit to reviewing the criminal offence and sentencing guidance as a priority? I look forward to your response, which I will be sharing with constituents.
Yours sincerely,
Caroline Lucas MP Brighton Pavilion
Read the ministerial response here.
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