MP vows to improve safeguarding in charities

Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt spoke to the House of Commons regarding the actions her office has taken since the Oxfam exploitation scandal broke this month.

Ms Mordaunt said: ‘In chaotic and desperate situations the very best safeguarding procedures and practices must be put in to place to prevent harm, but when organisations fail to report and follow up incidents of wrongdoing that occur, it undermines trust and sends a message that sexual exploitation and abuse is tolerated.’

Ms Mordaunt has since written to all 192 UK overseas charities that receive aid and insist safeguarding policies are put in place.

She said: ‘Later in the year, we will take this programme of work to a wide-ranging, global safeguarding conference to drive action across the whole international aid sector.

‘And I’m pleased to say the US, Canada, the Netherlands and others have already agreed to support our goal of improved safeguarding standards across the sector.

‘The UK is not waiting for others to act.

‘We are taking a lead on this.’

Ms Mordaunt added: ‘My absolute priority is to keep the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people safe from harm.