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Written Question
Offences against Children
Tuesday 6th January 2026

Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that victims aged between 13 and 16 are adequately protected under section 75 of the Crime and Policing Bill, in light of findings from the Casey Review.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

In its final report to government, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recognised that in limited circumstances, a different approach to mandatory reporting may sometimes be necessary when considering sexual activity between teenagers – for example, kissing (where a reporter otherwise has no concerns about the situation).

Section 75 of the Bill therefore provides reporters with some leeway on how to proceed where a child is over thirteen and in a consensual relationship with another young person. It does not mean a situation involving underage sexual activity should be met by indifference or inaction by those in positions of responsibility for children.

Guidance accompanying the commencement of the duty will make clear that sexual relationships involving teenagers under the age of consent should be referred to a relevant agency for advice and support where appropriate.

Written Question
Members: Correspondence
Monday 5th January 2026

Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Minister of State for Social Care will reply to the email of 21 October 2025 from the hon Member for South West Devon on scheduling a meeting with him to discuss the demand on primary care for skin health screening.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

A meeting has been scheduled with the hon. Member to discuss this matter.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 17 Dec 2025
Local Government Finance

"I represent a constituency with two district councils with prudently created reserves and a unitary council with high levels of debt. Understandably, residents in the district council areas are concerned that local government reorganisation will see their reserves usurped by any new unitary council areas—if they have not already had …..."
Rebecca Smith - View Speech

View all Rebecca Smith (Con - South West Devon) contributions to the debate on: Local Government Finance
Division Vote (Commons)
17 Dec 2025 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Rebecca Smith (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 91 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 312 Noes - 165
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 16 Dec 2025
Transgender People: Provision of Healthcare

"The NHS has finally issued a call for evidence regarding a clinical pathway for adults who wish to detransition. Does the hon. Lady agree that that is a welcome and long-overdue first step, and that the NHS must continue making serious efforts to improve care for detransitioners?..."
Rebecca Smith - View Speech

View all Rebecca Smith (Con - South West Devon) contributions to the debate on: Transgender People: Provision of Healthcare
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 16 Dec 2025
Transgender People: Provision of Healthcare

"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Turner. I will be brief because we are running out of time. Detransitioners are an often marginalised and misunderstood group. Ritchie Herron is a civil servant who underwent gender surgery in 2018 in order to live as a woman. That …..."
Rebecca Smith - View Speech

View all Rebecca Smith (Con - South West Devon) contributions to the debate on: Transgender People: Provision of Healthcare
Division Vote (Commons)
16 Dec 2025 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Rebecca Smith (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 341 Noes - 195
Division Vote (Commons)
16 Dec 2025 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Rebecca Smith (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 340
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 15 Dec 2025
Oral Answers to Questions

"Turnchapel Wharf and the Cattewater in my constituency host many marine autonomous defence innovators, but the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s workboat code edition 3 is hampering the testing, development and utilisation of autonomous vessels. They cannot even get the licences to be out on the water. What conversations has the …..."
Rebecca Smith - View Speech

View all Rebecca Smith (Con - South West Devon) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 15 Dec 2025
Violence against Women and Girls Strategy

"The Minister knows of the Plymouth Violence against Women and Girls Commission, which highlighted the role of pornography in VAWG. It is my view that schools should be a place where pupils can concentrate on learning and not have access to social media, including abusive forms of online pornography, which …..."
Rebecca Smith - View Speech

View all Rebecca Smith (Con - South West Devon) contributions to the debate on: Violence against Women and Girls Strategy