FR-17 Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Code of Practice on Records Access

Recommendation

The Inquiry recommends that the UK government directs the Information Commissioner's Office to introduce a code of practice on retention of and access to records known to relate to child sexual abuse. The retention period for records known to relate to allegations or cases of child sexual abuse should be 75 years with appropriate review periods. The code should set out that institutions should have: retention policies that reflect the importance of such records to victims and survivors, and that they may take decades to seek to access such records; clear and accessible procedures for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to access such records; policies, procedures and training for staff responding to requests to ensure that they recognise the long-term impact of child sexual abuse and engage with the applicant with empathy.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to Gov.uk progress update (8 April 2025), the government was due to lay regulations in Autumn 2025 instructing the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to produce a code of practice on the retention of personal data related to child sexual abuse. According to Gov.uk progress update, while the code cannot mandate a 75-year retention period, it will include best practice guidance. According to the Home Affairs Select Committee (21 January 2025), Professor Alexis Jay stated in January 2025 that none of IICSA's final recommendations had been implemented as of December 2024.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 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.7
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part UK Government
22 May 2023

We accept the importance of access to records. We will engage with the Information Commissioner’s Office on implementing this recommendation.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
08 Apr 2025

Directing Information Commissioner's Office to produce code of practice on records retention. Regulations to be laid in Autumn 2025.

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