Mark Pritchard

Mark Pritchard

Conservative — The Wrekin

Speaking in the House of Commons on 19 May 2026

Debate

Criminalisation of Children in Care

Contribution

Of course, the youngest children in care are babies. It might shock the House to learn that there are 36 babies residing, through no fault of their own, in mother and baby units around the country. Given that babies are taken away from their mothers on a case-by-case basis after 18 months, I wonder whether part of the sentencing review should be about whether it is appropriate at all for mothers and babies—particularly the babies—to be imprisoned, apart from in the most serious criminal cases.

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