“The publication of the IOPC’s final report on Operation Linden lays bare the appalling systemic failures at South Yorkshire Police. The report sets out an institutional culture where Child Sexual Exploitation was not prioritised, understood or resourced. Officers were dismissive when people tried to report abuse, with victims often seen as difficult, criminal or consenting in their own abuse. Intelligence wasn’t properly recorded, shared or acted upon. Multi-agency working was poor, and officers lacked an understanding of the powers they had to protect vulnerable young people. Most damningly, numerous opportunities to prevent exploitation and protect victims were missed. South Yorkshire Police let down those that it had a duty to protect.’

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has today published its long-term plan for UK aid, the ‘International Development Strategy.’

The Chair of the International Development Committee, which scrutinises Foreign Office spending on aid, Sarah Champion MP, said:

"This scant document is little more than a rehash of existing slogans when what the aid sector needs is vision.

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has called on the Government to abandon All Lane Running Smart Motorways following the publication of safety data that shows the true impact of removing the hard shoulder.

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has urged the Government to explore new powers to allow authorities to better disrupt industrial cannabis production.

Sarah has campaigned extensively to shut down illegal cannabis factories which have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Sarah has now called for the Government to consider strengthening warrant powers to allow searches of properties operated by problem landlords, increased powers to enforce Emergency Prohibition Orders and the creation of a national register of landlords.

“Until we can scrutinise the details of the restructure at the various Liberty South Yorkshire plants, it is difficult to be anything other than nervous.’

‘My thoughts are with the workers and their families at this hugely stressful time. I know they have done all they can over the last decade to accommodate the changing global market, ownership and government priorities. Now is not the time for Liberty to repay that loyalty by cutting highly skilled workers from a strategic industry that we need more than ever.’