EVESHAM’S MP Nigel Huddleston has called on the Prime Minister to change the law to give grandparents’ access rights to their grandchildren.
The Mid-Worcestershire MP raised in the issue in the House of Commons last Wednesday during Prime Minister’s Questions when he urged Theresa May to look at what could be done to change the current law.
Currently, grandparents can apply for leave of the Court to make an application for a child arrangement order if they are being denied access to their grandchildren following a divorce or family breakdown.
This process can often be time-consuming and can have big financial implications for grandparents. And, whilst some cases are successful, the court rulings cannot always be enforced.
As a result, Dame Esther Rantzen and organisations such as the Bristol Grandparents Support Group have been leading calls for an amendment to the Children’s Act so that the right of children to have access to their grandparents and other extended family members is enshrined in law.
After being contacted by Dame Esther Rantzen, Mr Huddleston raised the issue in PMQs in the hope of the Government taking action to change the law.
Mr Huddleston said: “I am pleased that I had the opportunity to question the Prime Minister directly on this important issue and am confident that the Government is considering these proposals.
“I was reassured by the Prime Minister’s recognition of the important role that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren and the anguish they suffer if they are prevented from seeing their grandchildren.
“As the Prime Minister quite rightly pointed out, when making decisions about a child’s future the first consideration should be the child’s welfare.
“Having a relationship with grandparents and extended family members can greatly enrich a child’s life, and by enshrining in law a right for children to have this relationship we can prevent it being disrupted by divorce or family breakdown.
“I have already had positive engagement with the Ministry of Justice on how we can amend the relevant legislation and I will continue working with Ministers across the Government to push for change.”
