Last week, I was delighted to vote in favour of the landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which passed its second reading in the House of Commons.

Child welfare is a top priority for me and getting this legislation all the way through Parliament is one of my key objectives for 2025. The Bill includes putting in place vital protections for vulnerable children; rolling out free breakfast clubs; and limiting the number of branded items of school uniform, further easing the financial burden on parents.

But sadly, there has been a horrendous amount of misinformation and lies swirling around before, during and since the vote, from people that haven’t even bothered to take the time to actually read the Bill or the amendment in question. So I thought I’d use this opportunity to set the record straight.

The Conservatives, backed by Reform, tried to block the Labour government’s manifesto commitment to a Children’s Wellbeing and Safety Bill, by tabling a ‘wrecking’ amendment. In doing so, they were playing political games with child protection.

This is a positive and proactive Bill aimed at safeguarding children—especially those most at risk of exploitation due to isolation, vulnerabilities, or lack of oversight from schools and local authorities. I was particularly pleased to see the introduction of a register of children not in school. This is very important in Camborne and Redruth, where a staggering 32 per cent of children are persistently absent from secondary schools. Instead of supporting this vital Bill, the Conservative and Reform MPs all disappeared for an early dinner.

The victims of child sexual exploitation were completely ignored in this shameless politicisation of the issue and I am deeply concerned about the impact this sorry saga will have on those survivors and victims of evil grooming gangs.

What those victims want is exactly what this Labour government is doing: implementing the 20 recommendations of the previous inquiry (an inquiry that took seven years, £200-million, thousands of hours of evidence, and several Chairs to complete). A new inquiry would take seven years, if not longer. What is needed now is action. Not words.

The Conservatives failed to act on those recommendations, letting abusers off the hook and enabling grooming gangs to continue.

Let’s also not forget: Kemi Badenoch, now Conservative Leader, was once the women and equalities minister and also the children’s minister. She didn’t lift a finger to address these issues or implement the recommendations when she had the chance. Labour’s safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, has made it crystal clear: Nothing is off the table when it comes to tackling paedophiles, their networks or their disgusting grooming tactics.

The Labour government is taking swift, decisive action. This Bill is about protecting children long-term, and we’re committed to implementing those critical recommendations that the Conservatives ignored. I urge everyone: Read the Bill. Read the Amendment. Don’t fall for the targeted misinformation popping up on your social media feeds. Rest assured, this Labour government is standing up for children and safeguarding their futures.

Perran Moon

Labour MP for Camborne and Redruth