FR-3 Response Accepted

Cabinet-Level Minister for Children

Recommendation

The Inquiry recommends that the UK government creates a cabinet-level ministerial position for children. The Inquiry recommends that the Welsh Government ensures that there is cabinet-level ministerial responsibility for children.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
- The UK Government stated in May 2023 that the Secretary of State for Education fulfills the role of cabinet-level ministerial responsibility for children (Government response to the IICSA final report, May 2023, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse-iicsa-final-report). - Professor Alexis Jay told the Home Affairs Select Committee in January 2025 that as of December 2024, none of the inquiry's 20 final recommendations had been implemented (Home Affairs Committee, 21 January 2025, https://committees.parliament.uk/event/23456). - A government progress update in April 2025 stated that the Secretary of State for Education had been designated as the Cabinet minister for children and a Keeping Children Safe ministerial board had been established (IICSA Recommendation Progress Update, April 2025).
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-3-flash-preview on 24 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
K.2
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
22 May 2023

We accept the importance of placing the best interests of the child front and centre in policy and decision making at the highest level of Government. This role is already fulfilled through the work of the Secretary of State for Education.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
08 Apr 2025

Secretary of State for Education designated as Cabinet minister for children. New Keeping Children Safe ministerial board established to coordinate cross-government action on child protection.

Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

No Meaningful Progress
21 Jan 2025
Home Affairs Select Committee Select Committee

Professor Alexis Jay told Home Affairs Committee that £187m was spent on IICSA and "to date none of its final recommendations had been implemented." Called for "full implementation" saying "get it done."

View detailed findings

As of December 2024, none of the 20 final report recommendations had been implemented. The previous government's response was described by Prof Jay as "very weak and, at times, apparently disingenuous."

Home Affairs Committee hearing, 21 January 2025 View Source
Source
Inquiry IICSA
Report The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse 20 Oct 2022
Responsible Bodies
UK Government Primary
Recommendation age 3.4 yrs
Last formal update 08 Apr 2025