Review into unsuitable people and vulnerable children should have been concluded a year ago - Heath

9.00.00am GMT Thu 12th Jan 2006

Nursery school teacher and child

David Heath MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House, today called on Charles Clarke to make a statement to the House of Commons about why a review of the system barring unsuitable people from contact with vulnerable children has only been announced today despite his pledge in a written answer in January 2005 that a similar review would be concluded by earlier last year.

Commenting, Mr Heath said "It is astonishing that Ruth Kelly is only now instituting a review of the system, when the Home Secretary stated a year ago that a review following a feasibility study into a comprehensive, centralised, and integrated system would be concluded by early 2005. Along with the failure to also implement the Impact computer system, it is clear that the Government's performance has been lamentable and has put vulnerable children potentially at risk."