A Westminster Hall debate on the sexual and criminal exploitation of looked after children takes place today.

The debate, which will be led by Ann Coffey MP and is scheduled for 2.30pm, will focus on the latest report from the APPG for Runaway and Missing Children and Adults and ways to make placements safer for children.

The APPG is asking the government to introduce an Emergency Action Plan to tackle the issue. Key measures the APPG would like to see implemented include funding for councils to develop local provision, including children’s homes and foster placements, as well as  regulation and inspection of semi-independent accommodation.

The APPG’s Chair is Ann Coffey, the MP hosting this afternoon’s debate. The Group has two Vice Chairs, Tim Loughton and Sir Peter Bottomley, while the position of Secretariat for the APPG is held jointly by The Children’s Society and Missing People, who were both paid up to £3,000 for their engagement with the APPG. As of the last AGM (October 2018), the group did not publish an income and expenditure statement.

You can see full details for the APPG on the Register at page 996.

Westminster Hall debates allow MPs to raise local or national issues with a view to receiving a response from a government minister.

The debates are open to the public and are held in the Grand Committee Room, just off Westminster Hall.

Useful links:

• House of Commons Library – Research Briefing for the debate
• How to attend Westminster Hall debates
• Watch the Debate
• Read a transcript of the debate (usually published a few hours after the event)