Labour MP John Grady has backed the new Babies Bill in Parliament, arguing that stronger protections are needed to give babies and young children the best possible start in life and prevent vulnerable children falling through gaps in public services.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Friday, Grady also highlighted the findings of Scotland’s Family C Learning Review, which examined the experiences of four children who suffered years of serious abuse and neglect despite extensive contact with public agencies. The Infants, Parents and Carers Bill, known as the Babies Bill and brought by Sir Desmond Swayne, would require the Government to identify services that matter for babies’ outcomes, assess need and report annually to Parliament.
Writing afterwards on X, Grady said:
“I support the Babies Bill brought to Parliament today. It is critical we do all we can to give babies & young children the best start in life.”
He added that he had used his contribution to highlight what he described as the “catastrophic failures” identified through the Family C case.
The independent Family C Learning Review was published by Glasgow Child Protection Committee in May. It examined a period spanning many years in which four children were known to a range of services, including social work, health, education and the police. The review identified significant lessons for agencies responsible for protecting children and improving multi-agency working.
The case has already prompted debate at Holyrood, where Labour MSP Claire Baker said the children had been subjected to “degrading, violent and sexual abuse” and questioned how so many institutional safeguards had failed to protect them.
Although the legislation being debated at Westminster would apply only in England, Grady argued that its principles should now be considered by ministers in Edinburgh.
He said:
“While this Bill would only come into effect in England, these issues are important in Scotland.”
Grady added:
“I urge the Scottish Government to assess the Babies Bill and consider whether a Bill similar to this is needed in Scotland.”
The Family C review has continued to generate scrutiny of child protection arrangements in Scotland. The Scottish Government has confirmed that learning reviews are overseen locally by Child Protection Committees rather than directly by ministers, while work continues across agencies to consider the lessons arising from the case.
Grady’s intervention seeks to turn those lessons into wider reform, arguing that early support, stronger safeguarding and better coordination between public bodies are essential if children at risk are to be identified and protected sooner.
For Labour, the debate also reinforces a wider commitment to giving children the strongest possible start in life while ensuring that public services learn from cases where vulnerable families have been badly failed.
