CRIMINAL LAW ON CHILD NEGLECT

That this House welcomes Action for Children's campaign to change the criminal law on child neglect; notes that an estimated 1.5 million children are neglected in the UK; further notes that the legal definition of child neglect was enshrined in legislation in 1933 and has not been amended since; is concerned that the law does not sufficiently protect children from harm because it does not include all of the effects of neglect, particularly the emotional harm caused to children; recognises that the law does not help parents understand their responsibilities towards children or seek to prevent harm; is further concerned that current sentencing guidelines seek only to criminalise parents and do not allow for early intervention in the form of parenting educationand support; and calls on the Government to update the criminal law on neglect to ensure that the general public and parents in particular understand the basic needs of children.