BBK Manifesto 2026: Deliver on IICSA’s legacy: act now on the Apology Law
Earlier this year, the High Court heard claims that thousands of children continue to be placed at risk because key safeguarding reforms recommended in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) have still not been implemented.
The IICSA was established by the UK Government in 2015 to investigate how institutions in England and Wales failed to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. Over seven years, the inquiry heard from thousands of victims and survivors, examined millions of pages of evidence and investigated a wide range of institutions, including local authorities, schools, religious organisations, children’s homes and public bodies. Its final report, published in 2022, made 20 recommendations aimed at strengthening child protection, improving support for victims and survivors and ensuring greater accountability for organisations responsible for safeguarding children.
But implementation of the proposals has been woefully inadequate, leading to the Maggie Oliver Foundation securing permission to bring a judicial review this year into whether the Home Office has failed to act on the inquiry’s 20 recommendations.
In April 2025, the Government published its full response rejecting several proposals that would have made the compensation process fairer and more inclusive. These included IICSA’s recommendation for a national redress scheme for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and proposed changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The Maggie Oliver Foundation subsequently challenged the Government over its failure to implement the inquiry’s recommendations.
Having given evidence to IICSA, and through my experience representing survivors and hearing my clients’ stories, I know how important it is that the inquiry’s work leads to meaningful and lasting change.
Some relief for survivors
It’s worth acknowledging there has been some progress – the three-year time limit for civil claims brought by victims and survivors of child sexual abuse was removed under the Crime and Policing Act 2026 on 29 June 2026. As my colleague Dinya Rasool wrote for NAPAC’s website: “The removal of the time limit for filing a claim provides significant relief for survivors, offering them the chance to seek justice when they are ready, regardless of when the abuse took place or when they decide to come forward.”
It’s important to celebrate this progress and the difference it will make for our clients and the countless other survivors of historical sexual abuse. However, there is still work to be done to remove barriers to justice for survivors and, understandably and justifiably, there has been outrage that the significant time, effort and expertise invested in the IICSA, along with many of its valuable recommendations, have been ignored or pushed to the sidelines.
Why we need new apology legislation
In February 2025, the Government announced plans to reform the law on apologies, yet we are still waiting for this to become law.
Back in 2025, the Government recognised the changes would encourage organisations to apologise to those harmed by their employees without fear of automatically incurring legal liability. This is particularly relevant in abuse claims, where schools, care providers, hospitals and other institutions may be reluctant to offer meaningful apologies because of concerns about being held responsible for the actions of staff members.
This was something my colleagues and I in the BBK abuse team applauded as we have long been campaigning for a law on apologies. We know the transformative effect an apology can have for a survivor, and when apologies have not been forthcoming, we have gone to great lengths to secure them. In one case, my colleague Abbie Hickson supported our client to achieve an apology from the Diocese of Salford after a priest abused him as a child. She had to seek help from a BBC journalist, who investigated the story, to secure this. At the time, Abbie recognised the apology was “incredibly positive” but said it was “disappointing” that an apology had been sought “many years ago, and it’s only as a result of media intervention that an apology has now been offered”.
In its consultation response, the Government accepted the principle of IICSA’s recommendation and committed to introducing legislation that would provide greater clarity on the legal status of apologies. The proposed reforms would make it clear that protections extend to claims involving vicarious liability, which are common in child abuse cases. While this commitment is welcome, the changes will not apply retrospectively and still require primary legislation before they can take effect, meaning survivors are yet to see the practical benefits of the reform.
It is deeply disappointing that survivors are still waiting for this legislation. Every delay means more people are being denied the apology that can play a crucial role in their healing, as well as the accountability and recognition that a meaningful apology can provide.
Our all to action
The Government must commit to implementing the IICSA’s recommendations. The inquiry’s findings are rooted in years of extensive research and the powerful testimony of victims and survivors.
Victims and survivors deserve a system of justice that is accessible, compassionate and free from unnecessary barriers. Anything less risks compounding the harm already inflicted and sends a troubling message about whose rights and experiences are truly valued.
While some progress has been made, overall delivery has been slow and piecemeal. One of the most significant outstanding issues is the introduction of an apology law. The need for such a measure has been recognised, and there is broad acknowledgement that it should be implemented. However, survivors need more than commitments in principle; they need certainty. The Government must set out a clear timetable for bringing forward this reform and ensure that momentum is not lost. Delays only prolong the barriers survivors face in seeking accountability, acknowledgement and redress.
This blog is part of our 2026/27 Manifesto for Injured People. At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we support injured people not only by winning their cases but by driving positive change. Guided by our clients’ experiences and partnerships with charities across the UK, we are raising awareness of the changes needed to better support injured people. We will continue working with politicians from all parties to ensure injured people’s needs are not overlooked in Westminster or beyond. You can read our full manifesto here.
