Female Genital Mutilation: abuse unchecked: Government Response to the Committee's Ninth Report of Session 2016-17

This is the government's response, published 1 December 2016.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government states that it "shares the Committee's determination to eradicate this appalling crime", while responding to individual recommendations with a mix of agreement on one point, descriptions of existing action, and refusals to adopt specific proposals.

• It "agrees with the Committee's assessment" that a blanket policy of medical examinations for all girls would not be appropriate, while noting that girls at high risk may be required to have examinations where "necessary for their protection or wellbeing".
• On a single FGM unit with sole policy responsibility, it describes existing cross-Government coordination and says it "will continue to look at options" for coordinating work as effectively as possible.
• On further legislation to secure prosecutions, it states it has "no current plans to legislate further" but will "keep the matter under review".
• On publishing quarterly reports, it says it "would not be appropriate" to share or publish reports on live police investigations. On PSHE becoming compulsory, it says the case for further action is "actively under review".

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