The Maggie Oliver Foundation is heading to the High Court next week to bring a judicial review against the UK government over its alleged failure to implement recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). At a hearing on Thursday, Mr Justice Kimblin allowed the legal action to continue, saying it was arguable that the foundation had a 'legitimate expectation' that the government would implement the recommendations. The charity, founded by former detective Maggie Oliver after she quit Greater Manchester Police to become a whistleblower on police failings in child exploitation, is taking legal action over the government's alleged failure to adopt all changes recommended by the IICSA.
The inquiry, chaired by Alexis Jay, took seven years, cost £200 million, and was launched to examine how institutions failed to protect children from sexual abuse. It concluded in 2022 and recommended 20 major reforms to child protection in England and Wales. As of 8 July 2025, 17 of the 20 recommendations had not been implemented, according to Christopher Jacobs, barrister for The Maggie Oliver Foundation.
Everybody who had an official capacity must be brought to justice if they covered up some of the worst crimes in British history.
The three recommendations at the centre of the claim relate to recording the age, ethnicity, religion and occupation of perpetrators of child sexual abuse, ending the use of pain-inducing restraint on children in custody, and ensuring those in care have greater access to justice. Christopher Jacobs alleges the government has taken an 'inconsistent and arbitrary approach' to implementing the IICSA recommendations and that its failure has effectively allowed child abuse to continue. ' Maggie Oliver said, 'Survivors of child sexual abuse were promised change.
Instead, they are met with delay after delay. ' The Home Office is defending the claim. Jack Anderson, barrister for the Home Office, stated, 'The government is not obliged to implement the recommendations of IICSA.
The Government has promised another national inquiry, this time focused on so-called 'grooming gangs'. Survivors have every right to be heard, but why launch another inquiry when the recommendations of the last one remain unimplemented? After years of testimony and hundreds of millions of pounds spent, survivors should not be asked to relive their most traumatic experiences only to see no meaningful action follow. Our charity has been deeply involved in the wider work to tackle child sexual abuse. I have long campaigned for proper national data collection, including on the ethnicity of perpetrators, because without reliable evidence these crimes cannot be properly understood or prevented. Survivors of child sexual abuse were promised change. Instead, they are met with delay after delay. As a former police officer, I want our agencies to have the tools to effectively combat child abuse. As a mother, I want children to be able to walk the streets in safety. Why does our Government have to be dragged to court to be forced to protect children?
' The specific actions or timeline the government has for implementing the remaining 17 IICSA recommendations are unknown.