RUNAWAY HELPLINE

Early day motion 2052, tabled 27 April 2006 by Helen Southworth (Labour). Signed by 188 members.

That this House congratulates the National Missing Persons Helpline for setting up the Runaway Helpline, which took over 45,000 calls in 2004 and 57,000 calls in 2005 and was funded by the charity's own fundraising efforts; notes that a survey undertaken by the Children's Society estimates that at least 100,000 children and young people run away or go missing from home or care each year in the UK; believes that access to a free confidential helpline, available 24-hours a day, is essential for a child or young person on the streets without responsible adult protection; and calls on the Government to work with the National Missing Persons Helpline to ensure that a dedicated Runaway Helpline is available in the future as a key component of safeguarding vulnerable children and young people.

Signatures by party: Labour 147, Liberal Democrat 23, Conservative 8, DUP 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.