Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the actions of the charity Mermaids; and what steps they intend to take as a result of any such assessment.

Protecting people and adhering to safeguarding responsibilities should be a governance priority for all charities. It is a fundamental part of operating as a charity for the public benefit.

Following concerns raised about Mermaids’ approach to safeguarding young people, the Charity Commission has opened a regulatory compliance case into the charity and has contacted its trustees. The opening of a compliance case is not itself a finding of wrongdoing.

As an independent regulator, the Charity Commission carries out its functions independent of ministerial or government control. It would therefore not be appropriate to comment further whilst the Charity Commission's investigation is ongoing.