Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what training will be offered to police officers in England to prepare for the introduction of the third-party reporting mechanism for the non-consensual sex exemption in respect of child tax credit payments.

The Government outlined in the consultation response on 20 January 2017 that the list of third parties used for the non-consensual sex exception will include health care professionals, social workers and relevant specialist charities. The model is not attempting to pre-empt the criminal justice system and therefore does not include police in the third party model.

The exception will also apply where there is a successful conviction or award of compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for rape occurring at a time when the child’s conception might have resulted. The Government recognises this exception is sensitive, so has consulted on how it should be implemented and is currently working with stakeholders to develop guidance for this process.