Sarah Champion MP Criticises Government Refusal to Extend Funding to Children’s Social Work in Rotherham

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has condemned a Government decision to end funding extended to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to meet children’s social work costs linked to police investigations into Child Sexual Exploitation.

In a letter to Sarah, Will Quince MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, stated that a £500,000 grant that had been paid to RMBC to help meet additional social work costs incurred as a result of Operation Stovewood, would end. Mr Quince stated that the Government’s focus would instead be upon “helping RMBC live within their revenue funding settlement.” Sarah had previously written to the Government urging them to commit to ongoing funding to support survivors in Rotherham.

Operation Stovewood, the National Crime Agency’s investigation into non-recent CSE in Rotherham is expected to continue for another five to seven years. Currently there are over 225 officers working on Stovewood, with the majority being NCA officers, and more than 1,038 identified victims and 284 designated suspects. The annual cost to the Council to support Operation Stovewood has been estimated at circa £6.9m per year.

Commenting, Sarah said:

“The Government’s decision to in effect cut the funding it provides to survivors of child abuse in Rotherham is outrageous. With a significant number of trials linked to Operation Stovewood expected in the coming year, this funding is needed now more than ever. Instead, the Government has pulled the rug from under their feet.’

‘I have been clear from the outset that the appalling abuse in Rotherham over many years is a national crisis, that merits a national response. The Government has recognised this by deploying the National Crime Agency to investigate and yet, when it comes to its consequential obligations to survivors, it’s failing to step up and deliver.”

Sarah continued:

“I have been urging the Government for years to stand shoulder to shoulder with survivors of child abuse and ensure resources are available to provide the care and

support that’s been badly lacking for so long. Time and time again, the Government has responded with warm words but little more.’

‘The Government must think again, and I will be meeting with them to, once again, urge them to commit the resources needed to deliver justice for survivors in Rotherham.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors: