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Sarah Champion MP

Sarah Champion MP

@SarahChampionMP

Labour MP for Rotherham and chair of the International Development Committee

'Deeply affecting': Sarah Champion reviews 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'
Books & culture
By Sarah Champion MP
"Deeply affecting": Sarah Champion reviews 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'
This powerful and authentic docudrama recounts the desperate real life attempts to save a six-year-old Palestinian child
Our net zero transition cannot be carried on the backs of those in slavery
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Our net zero transition cannot be carried on the backs of those in slavery
We must move quickly in collaboration with our international allies to root out this appalling practice.
No more words, delays or empty promises on grooming gangs – it's time to act
Communities
By Sarah Champion MP
No more words, delays or empty promises on grooming gangs – it's time to act
Over the last week there has been a lot of focus on child sexual exploitation by organised networks, colloquially known as grooming gangs.
Israel risks breaking international law by banning UNRWA
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Israel risks breaking international law by banning UNRWA
For more than a year now, the world’s attention has rightly been on the brutal war in Gaza.
Millions rely on terrestrial TV. We cannot let it die
Culture
By Sarah Champion MP
Millions rely on terrestrial TV. We cannot let it die
The Labour Government must act to keep terrestrial television. The people who rely on it most are often those in our society who have the least.
Sex Offenders Will Be Blocked From Changing Their Name With New Law
Home affairs
Sex Offenders Will Be Blocked From Changing Their Name With New Law
A new restriction on sex offenders legally changing their names is set to become law after years of campaigning by survivors groups, with the Labour MP who proposed it crediting the benefits of cross-party cooperation.
Rishi Sunak Says 'Hostile' International Environment Is The Greatest Challenge Facing UK
Defence
Rishi Sunak Says "Hostile" International Environment Is The Greatest Challenge Facing UK
Rishi Sunak told senior MPs that the "increasingly complex and hostile international environment" was the greatest challenge facing the UK, as he was questioned by the Liaison Committee on his work as prime minister.
Labour MP Wants More 'Wins' On Changing The Law To Tackle Sexual Violence
Home affairs
Labour MP Wants More "Wins" On Changing The Law To Tackle Sexual Violence
Labour MP Sarah Champion wants to work with the Conservative government to push through more law changes to tackle sexual violence against women and girls, after another recent “win” on getting legislation through.
Government must make its review of Relationships, Sex and Health Education a top priority
Education
By Sarah Champion MP
Government must make its review of Relationships, Sex and Health Education a top priority
We have an unmissable opportunity to support our young people this year.
Britain must plan for rebuilding in Turkey and Syria as well as immediate humanitarian aid
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Britain must plan for rebuilding in Turkey and Syria as well as immediate humanitarian aid
The news is devastating. This huge earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria has killed thousands and the numbers continue to rise. In 1999, an earthquake of a similar magnitude in Turkey killed 17,000.
We need a national strategy to prevent and respond to mass atrocities
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
We need a national strategy to prevent and respond to mass atrocities
Genocide and crimes against humanity are never inevitable - they can often be prevented. To do so, however, we need to be prepared.
We need a national strategy to better predict and prevent mass atrocities across the world
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
We need a national strategy to better predict and prevent mass atrocities across the world
The latest atrocities committed against civilians by Russian forces in Ukraine, which will likely prove to be crimes against humanity, are truly appalling. But mass atrocities are commonplace elsewhere in the world.
Victims of sexual violence must not be deterred from seeking counselling
Home affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Victims of sexual violence must not be deterred from seeking counselling
Reporting sexual violence to the police can be an utterly terrifying experience, and the process of going through the criminal justice system often re-traumatises many victims and survivors.
We must listen to survivors of online child sexual exploitation to strengthen protections in the Online Safety Bill
Home affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
We must listen to survivors of online child sexual exploitation to strengthen protections in the Online Safety Bill
The Online Safety Bill presents a unique chance to tackle a range of significant online harms. Particularly careful attention, however, must be drawn to the most severe forms of online harm, such as the online sexual exploitation of children.
Global Britain can play a leading role in atrocity prevention
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Global Britain can play a leading role in atrocity prevention
I was in my early twenties when a shocking picture of emaciated Bosnian men being held prisoner behind barbed wire was published in the press.
Online Safety Bill must strengthen child protection after record surge of online child sexual abuse in 2021
Culture
By Sarah Champion MP
Online Safety Bill must strengthen child protection after record surge of online child sexual abuse in 2021
Discussions about the Online Safety Bill have often been dominated by debates about freedom of speech, online anonymity, or abuse of public figures. These are all important topics to be discussed ahead of regulations, but the most pressing issue which this Bill needs to tackle is online child sexual abuse.
The Policing Bill is one of the most serious threats to human rights and civil liberties in the UK’s recent history
Home affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
The Policing Bill is one of the most serious threats to human rights and civil liberties in the UK’s recent history
Soft power is how a country’s cultural and economic influence can persuade others to do something. It is summed up in the often-repeated line that “people are more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.” And it is a key part of the UK's approach to strengthening democracy and defending our values around the world.
Where next for UK international aid after the cuts?
Economy
By Sarah Champion MP
Where next for UK international aid after the cuts?
With less money in the aid budget, it’s more crucial than ever that we spend this vital, lifechanging funding in the best way possible.
Covid has wreaked havoc on the Global South: the government must cancel debt to allow for countries to recover
Coronavirus
By Sarah Champion MP
Covid has wreaked havoc on the Global South: the government must cancel debt to allow for countries to recover
Developing countries are facing a “looming financial tsunami” due to the impact of Covid-19. That is why the International Development Committee has recently called on the government to cancel debt so the Global South has the means to recover from this horrific pandemic.
Tens of thousands are suffering horrific abuse in Tigray – if 'Global Britain' means anything, the government must act
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Tens of thousands are suffering horrific abuse in Tigray – if "Global Britain" means anything, the government must act
When the FCO and DFID were merged last year, we heard how putting diplomacy and development under one roof would enhance conflict resolution.
The Government’s obesity strategy is putting those with eating disorders at risk
Health
By Sarah Champion MP
The Government’s obesity strategy is putting those with eating disorders at risk
This Eating Disorder Awareness Week, we must recognise that there is not a catch-all strategy to addressing obesity in the UK.
Government must prevent UK aid cuts from pushing the world’s most vulnerable into poverty and food insecurity
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Government must prevent UK aid cuts from pushing the world’s most vulnerable into poverty and food insecurity
Addressing the secondary impacts of Covid are just as important as stopping the virus itself. Government must outline how we can ensure the world’s most vulnerable are not left behind.
Sexual exploitation in the aid sector remains 'rife' and needs urgent action
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Sexual exploitation in the aid sector remains 'rife' and needs urgent action
There must be consequences for failings that lead to cases of abuse, including poor treatment of whistle-blowers.
Government is chipping away at our development progress when we should be championing global Britain
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Government is chipping away at our development progress when we should be championing global Britain
We could be facing up to £30bn less on development over the next five years. The UK is unlikely to feel any economic ‘boost’ as a result of these cuts, but the impact on the world’s poorest will be devastating.
We must ensure developing countries have equitable access to covid treatments
Coronavirus
By Sarah Champion MP
We must ensure developing countries have equitable access to covid treatments
Failure on equitable access to future Covid vaccines would put the UK’s reputation as a development superpower at risk.
Parliamentary scrutiny of the government's approach to development aid has never been more vital
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Parliamentary scrutiny of the government's approach to development aid has never been more vital
The future of the International Development Committee is uncertain, but it has never been needed more. We propose the Committee remit shifts to cover all official development assistance spend across Government
Dominic Raab confirms UK’s aid spending to be cut by £2.9bn amid coronavirus downturn
Foreign affairs
Dominic Raab confirms UK’s aid spending to be cut by £2.9bn amid coronavirus downturn
Britain is slashing its international aid budget by £2.9billion as a result of the coronavirus economic downturn, Dominic Raab has confirmed.
The UK can lead the world in the fight to end poverty. But does this government still care?
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
The UK can lead the world in the fight to end poverty. But does this government still care?
To throw away decades of experience of supporting the world's most vulnerable people, for a purely political decision, is unfathomable.
Scrapping ‘world-leading’ foreign aid department could undermine Covid-19 fight, MPs warn Boris Johnson
Foreign affairs
Scrapping ‘world-leading’ foreign aid department could undermine Covid-19 fight, MPs warn Boris Johnson
Scrapping the Government’s foreign aid department would risk undermining the global fight against the coronavirus, MPs have warned Boris Johnson.
With the coronavirus pandemic looming, the situation for the Rohingya is becoming increasingly desperate
Coronavirus
By Sarah Champion MP
With the coronavirus pandemic looming, the situation for the Rohingya is becoming increasingly desperate
Rohingya Refugees are being fenced in and communication blocked, just as coronavirus cases are confirmed in camps, according to a new report from the International Development Committee.
The international community must act to protect Hong Kong’s health workers
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
The international community must act to protect Hong Kong’s health workers
Medics in Hong Kong allege a shocking campaign of harassment, intimidation and arrest by Chinese authorities. An international inquiry is urgently needed
Absorbing DfID into the FCO would dilute the effectiveness of UK aid
Foreign affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Absorbing DfID into the FCO would dilute the effectiveness of UK aid
I have no issue with examining foreign policy. What concerns me is the timeframe. The International Development Committee must have a voice in the Government’s Integrated Review.
I have seen the impact UK international development aid can have – I will fight to protect this
By Sarah Champion MP
I have seen the impact UK international development aid can have – I will fight to protect this

My success in parliament is due to forensically analysing a problem and working cross-party – I will take the exact same approach as chair of the International Development Committee, writes Sarah Champion 
A Labour government must take on our stubbornly patriarchal society
Communities
By Sarah Champion MP
A Labour government must take on our stubbornly patriarchal society

It’s time to be bold on women’s rights – Labour must address the systemic issues, writes Sarah Champion MP
Survivors of sexual abuse deserve more support – it’s time for the government to deliver
Home affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
Survivors of sexual abuse deserve more support – it’s time for the government to deliver

Survivors who report their abuse to police are too often let down. It’s essential we build a criminal justice system they can be confident in, writes Sarah Champion
Position of trust legislation must be extended to cover extracurricular activities
Communities
By Sarah Champion MP
Position of trust legislation must be extended to cover extracurricular activities

We must close the extracurricular loophole and protect 16 and 17-year-olds from sexual exploitation, writes Sarah Champion