CCTV in nurseries to be considered in landmark moment for Gigi's campaign
Genevieve 'Gigi' Meehan was killed at Tiny Toes Children's Day Nursery in May 2022 after she was strapped face down onto a beanbag and left unsupervised for 90 minutes by her nursery worker, Kate Roughley.
Roughley was jailed for 14 years in May last year for causing her unlawful death. An inquest into Genevieve's death has been set for June next year.
READ MORE: Suspected gang arrested in Manchester after horror drive-by shooting at garage leaves three men injured
READ MORE: Manchester Airport police assault trial - everything the jury heard following violence at Terminal 2
Her parents, John Meehan and Katie Wheeler have since launched a campaign (Campaign for Gigi) to improve safety standards in nursery settings.
In it, they are calling for compulsory CCTV in nursery settings; unannounced Ofsted inspections to be routine in early years settings; review of CCTV footage in Ofsted inspections; clear, statutory safe sleep guidance for early years settings; mandatory safe sleep training for all nursery staff and Ofsted inspectors; and clear statutory guidance as to the use of sleep products in early years settings.
The campaign, which can be found here, is urging for those to get in touch with their local MP to ask them for support.
Following a meeting with Stephen Morgan MP last month, in which Genevieve's parents had travelled to London to put their case to him, he has since confirmed that the department is in the early stages of addressing some of the campaign's goals.
In a letter addressed to the family, he wrote: 'Thank you for your letter and for the meeting on 30 June. I am grateful that you have both taken the time to speak to me regarding your concerns and for your drive in continuing to campaign in Gigi's memory.
'As mentioned before, ensuring the safety of children is of utmost importance to both the department and me. This is why, as we continue to increase the number of places in early years provisions, we are always monitoring and reviewing the safeguarding requirements of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework. We will continue to consider all of your suggestions as part of this process.
'Regarding CCTV in settings, we are working with Ofsted to look at the use of CCTV in early years settings. Departmental officials are in the very early stages of this work but as it develops, we would welcome your insights. Therefore, if you agree, officials will be in touch with you regarding this work.
'Next month officials will be meeting with Ms Jenny Ward [CEO of The Lullaby Trust] and NHS colleagues to discuss the safer sleep requirements in the body of the EYFS and to consider if changes need to be made.'
As part of the introduction of the government's 'Giving Every Child the Best Start In Life' policy, the Department of Education previously announced that Ofsted inspections will increase from once every six years to four years.
In the report, it reads: 'From next April, we will fund Ofsted to inspect all new early years providers within 18 months of opening and move towards inspecting all providers at least once every four years, compared to the current six-year cycle.
'This means standards will be reviewed more regularly and parents will have more up-to-date information to help them choose the right setting for their child.' You can read the full policy report here.
The Manchester Evening News is supporting the Campaign for Gigi, which is seeking improved safety measures in nursery settings including compulsory CCTV, unannounced Ofsted inspections as routine and mandatory safe sleep training.
To get involved in the campaign: Click the link here or below to search for your local MP; find their contact details; share Gigi's Campaign with your local MP and ask them to support it.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Here's how much it costs to house asylum seekers in UK hotels
Councils across England may take legal action to remove asylum seekers from hotels after a court injunction A landmark court judgment that has temporarily blocked asylum seekers from being housed at a hotel in Essex has left many councils considering similar court actions. On Tuesday (19 August) the High Court granted Epping Forest District Council an interim injunction to block asylum seekers from being housed at The Bell Hotel. The judge in the case ruled in favour of the council when it argued the hotel had become a public safety risk and had breached planning law. The hotel must stop housing asylum seekers by 4pm on 12 September. In response Broxbourne Council in Hertfordshire said it was taking legal advice 'as a matter of urgency' to perhaps take similar legal action. And Reform UK has stated that all 12 councils controlled by the party will "do everything in their power to follow Epping's lead", according to leader Nigel Farage. Why does this matter? The injunction poses a huge problem for the UK government who may now battle the court decision at the Court of Appeal and face the prospect of rehousing thousands. Home Office lawyers had argued during the hearing that the case had a "substantial impact" on the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, in performing her legal duties to asylum seekers. The Labour government's attempt to delay the application was rejected by Mr Justice Eyre. The Bell Hotel has become the focus of ongoing protests in recent weeks following allegations involving individuals residing there under the asylum system. The demonstrations began after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an asylum seeker staying at the hotel, was charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. He has denied these charges. In a separate case, another resident of the hotel, Syrian national Mohammed Sharwarq, has been charged with seven offences, which he denies. Additionally, several other men have been charged in connection with disorder that took place outside the premises. How many asylum seekers are placed in hotels? Since around 2020, there has been increased use of hotels for contingency asylum accommodation. The rise has been attributed to several factors, such as the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent public health measures; an increase in the number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats; and a backlog in unresolved asylum cases. Home Office data states that a total of 109,343 people claimed asylum in the UK in the year ending March 2025. This was 17% more than in the year ending March 2024 and 6% more than the previous peak of 103,081 in 2002. The Migration Observatory, an independent research project focused on analysing migration and migrants in the UK, said that at the end of March there were 32,345 asylum seekers in hotels. This represents 30% of all supported asylum seekers in this period and has dropped from 34,530 last year and 47,518 in 2023. The peak number of asylum seekers housed was 56,042 at the end of September 2023. The majority of asylum seekers being housed in hotels are in London. In March 12,024 60% of asylum seekers living in hotels, were housed in the capital. A written parliamentary response in February 2025 confirmed 218 hotels were being used to house asylum seekers, with seven due to close in April. How much does it cost? Analysis by the Migration Observatory across 2024-25 states the average daily cost of housing an asylum seeker in a hotel was estimated to be £170 per person. This has decreased slightly in the financial year 2024/25 falling from the equivalent of £176 per person last year. The three-month average nightly rate in asylum hotels has also declined from £162 in April 2024 to £119 in March 2025, as the number of hotels being used also dropping. This reduction in cost is likely due to several factors, including the Home Office closing some hotels, accommodating more people in each hotel, implementing room-sharing policies, and possibly choosing hotels with cheaper nightly rates. The cost of using a hotel is more than six times more expensive than using other types of accommodation, with a rate of £27 being the average for other types of accommodation. When you multiply the three-month average rate of £119 per night, by the number of housed asylum seekers, it costs the UK government around £3,849,055 per night. Arguing for the Bell Hotels owner's Somani Hotels, Piers Riley-Smith, said during the court hearing that asylum seekers a "financial lifeline" to the hotel. He added it was only 1% full in August 2022, when it was open to paying customers. Why hotel court ruling creates such a problem The Home Office has been attempting to come to grips with a growing number of asylum seekers attempting to find alternatives to costly hotels. Labour has said it plans to empty the hotels housing asylum seekers by 2029, although some contracts run beyond this. The judge ruled against Somani Hotels, after Epping Forest District Council cited alleged breaches of planning laws. The government will likely challenge the decision, as they did on Tuesday, believing the ruling "substantially impact" the government's ability to house asylum seekers. If other local councils follow Epping's lead, and are successful, this could mean the mass rehousing of thousands of migrants. Dan Jarvis, Minister of State for Security, said Labour has "never thought that hotels were an appropriate source of accommodation for asylum seekers" and the government was looking at "alternative accommodation arrangements". In June, a Home Affairs Committee heard how the government was looking at buying tower blocks and former student accommodation to house migrants. Another possible alternative is for the government to house asylum seekers in flats or houses that have been rented from private landlords or social housing providers. These plans can be resisted locally, as when in October this year more than 1,000 people protested in Waterlooville, Hampshire, when plans were announced accommodate 35 families in flats above shops. The removal of migrants from hotels to private accommodation is likely to save the UK government money, as hotels are the most expensive way to house asylum seekers. This would also mean many would be relocated to housing in 'cheaper areas' of the UK, according to former Conservative MP Damian Green, who served as a minster under Theresa May. Subsequent governments have failed to establish large accommodation sites in buildings such as disused military barracks. One site, Wethersfield, a former Ministry of Defence site in Braintree, Essex, may increase its capacity to house single adult male asylum seekers. But creating large-scale sites like this can be costly. In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO), published a report which revealed the initial set-up costs for Wethersfield were initially estimated at about £5m, but had ballooned to around £49m. Mr Green said the government should use purpose-built housing, like the Nightingale hospitals used during Covid to "toughen up" the accommodation to use as a deterrent so as not seen as 'offensively luxurious'. In 2022 the Conservative government said it would use 'large sites', such as former military facilities, barges, ferries, and cruise ships. One such site was The Bibby Stockholm, a converted barge moored in Dorset which was subsequently decommissioned by the Labour government in November 2024 amid safety concerns. The barge, which provided accommodation for up to 400 single male asylum seekers a night at maximum occupancy, had cost the taxpayer at least £34.8m, according to the National Audit Office. Another site that could be adapted for use is the Napier Barracks in Kent, which is set to be closed in September 2025. In June 2021 it was found that the site provided inadequate accommodation for asylum seekers, that the Home Office's process for selecting people to be accommodated at the Barracks was flawed and unlawful, and that residents of Napier Barracks were unlawfully detained.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth arrested and charged over indecent images
MSP Colin Smyth has been arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images, prompting his suspension from Scottish Labour. The South Scotland MSP was arrested on Tuesday and is due to appear in court at a later date. He was first elected as an MSP in 2016 and returned to Holyrood again at the 2021 election. The Scottish Parliament website now lists him as an Independent. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: 'On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property on Marchfield Avenue, Dumfries. 'A 52-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images. He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.' A spokesman for Scottish Labour said: 'The whip has been removed from Colin Smyth MSP, pending an investigation. 'We cannot comment further on this matter while the investigation is ongoing.' It is understood the MSP was administratively suspended by Labour after the party became aware of the police investigation.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Train services across North West facing disruption after 'delibrate act of vandalism'
Train services across the North West are facing major disruption after vandals cut cables in several locations. Emergency work is now taking place to restore the signalling system for the West Coast Main Line, causing major disruption to service across the North West, to Scotland and London Euston. Network Rail engineers have found that the cables carrying vital information that allows trains to move safely around the network have been cut in several locations along the track at Bamfurlong, near Wigan. Described as a 'deliberate act of vandalism', it is being investigated by British Transport Police and Network Rail is assisting with attempting to identify the criminals. READ MORE: Daisy Hill train station goes step-free after £4m upgrade Hall i' th' Wood railway station getting share of £34m funding Wigan to Bolton railway £100m electrification completed Teams of engineers are working throughout the day and night to repair and test the cables. Due to the severity of the damage and the complexity of the repairs, it is likely disruption to train journeys will last into tomorrow (Thursday 21 August). Phil James, North West route director said: This is an appalling act of criminal vandalism and I am sorry for the disruption that passengers have faced today. Our teams are hard at work making repairs which are very complex due to the nature of this vandalism. While this work carries on, train journeys across the North West and on the West Coast Mainline will continue to be disrupted. We are working closely with the train operators to provide what service while the necessary and complicated repair continues. Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: It's really disappointing to, once again, see so many of our customers' journeys impacted by attempted cable theft. As an industry we have worked hard to tackle this issue and will continue to work together to support British Transport Police in any subsequent investigations. I'd like to thank our customers for their ongoing patience as we do all we can to keep them on the move, and call on anyone planning to travel to check carefully for any changes to their journeys. Tricia Williams, managing director for Northern, said: This disgraceful act of vandalism has caused severe disruption for our customers, as we have been forced to close lines and cancel services between Blackpool, Liverpool Lime Street and Wigan. Rail replacement buses are running for customers and ticket acceptance is in place, allowing them to travel via alternative routes with other train operators for no extra cost. We are sorry for the disruption and are working closely with Network Rail so we can restore services at the earliest opportunity.
