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Minister Declines Immediate Backing for Maya’s Law After Westminster Debate

He pointed to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill as the vehicle for new safeguarding duties, with a meeting with campaigners to follow.

Overview

  • MP Liz Twist led the Westminster Hall debate on a proposed Child Risk Disclosure Scheme inspired by two-year-old Maya Chappell’s case, with Maya’s relatives attending.
  • Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing Josh MacAlister told MPs he did not believe now was the time for a standalone disclosure scheme.
  • MacAlister cited the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which he said includes a new statutory duty to share information for child safeguarding, noting its progress through Parliament.
  • The minister agreed to meet campaigners after the debate as Maya’s family vowed to continue pressing for legislative change.
  • The campaign’s petition has surpassed roughly 6,600 signatures, with targets of 10,000 for an official government response and 100,000 for a full Commons debate.