Warning over children's services

Calder Valley Labour MP Chris McCafferty said she was horrified by the report, published yesterday, which catalogued a series of failings in Calderdale Council's dealings with vulnerable children.

It follows the suspension of staff at the authority earlier this month after a review by independent consultants and a serious case review in December which said "systemic failures" had allowed the appalling mistreatment of a six-week-old baby girl by her parents

Ms McCafferty said: "I have had three urgent meeting with Ed Balls MP, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in the last two days to discuss what action the Government intends to take.

"Following those discussions, I would expect the leader of the council, (Stephen Baines) and portfolio holder, (Craig Whittaker), to be summoned to the Department to discuss the ability of Calderdale Council to make necessary improvements to services."

Coun Whittaker, who is the Tory Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Calder Valley, said: ''I am disappointed that Chris has decided to make a political football out of this when it is about the safety and well-being of young children in Calderdale."