Source Home Office published on this website Wednesday 10 June 2026 by Jill Powell

Britain will become the first country in the world where it is impossible for children to take, share or view naked pictures on their devices.

Under the new plans, Big Tech companies like Apple and Google must activate built-in features or implement technical solutions on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nude images for children, the Prime Minister announced in a speech at London Tech Week today (Monday 8 June).

This will prevent predators from being able to exploit and abuse victims through their devices, as well as stopping children from being able to access pornography. Adults will still be able to take, share or view nude content through an age verification process.

Now is the time for tech companies to step up and work with government to solve this horrific issue. If companies do not act within 3 months, the government will bring forward legislation to force them to activate the technology. This will include fines for companies. Nothing is off the table, and as a last resort we are exploring criminal liability for tech bosses who fail to comply.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“When it comes to the safety of our children, standing by is not an option. Nobody gets a free pass. That is why I’m making sure Britain is the first country in the world to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images.

“And I expect tech firms to make that happen. This is not an impossible challenge – these are some of the most innovative companies in the world. But if they choose not to, then we will act and change the law.”

The changes will apply to UK devices, including both existing and newly sold smartphones and tablets. Legislation could cover operating system providers and others in the supply chain, such as retailers, and will not affect the use of devices owned and used by adults who verify their age.

These measures build on progress already made in the UK. Since the publication of the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, Apple has already taken significant steps to combat this harm and shown the art of the possible, launching world-first features in the UK.

Apple recently introduced age checks for iPhone users, making it the first company to activate safety features by default for those who are not verified as over 18. This is a significant step forward following the government’s commitments to work with industry, and one this announcement builds on.

Despite this, the nudity detection is not applied to the camera or broader apps, third-party messaging services, or search functions, meaning children can still take, view, share and save nude images. The government therefore wants Apple and Google to block nudity across the whole device by default, so they can only be deactivated via age assurance.

Alongside the changes announced today, the consultation on children’s use of social media has now closed, with more than 100,000 responses received from parents, young people and experts. The government will publish its response soon and will continue working with international partners to tackle this shared global challenge to drive better protections for children online

91% of online child sexual abuse reports recorded in 2024 contained self-generated content from children themselves and the average child now views pornography by age 13. The effects of this can have long lasting impacts on young people’s lives and contributes to abuse in younger relationships, with 39% of teenagers aged 13–17 experiencing emotional or physical abuse from a partner.

Child sexual abuse material and pornography are also increasing misogyny and the normalisation of harmful sexual behaviour. 52% of all child sexual abuse and exploitation cases involve children aged 10–17 offending against other children.

Measures to protect children already exist within smartphones and tablets, but are applied inconsistently, often switched off by default and only blurring content rather than blocking it. But the government is working closely with technology companies – some of whom, like Apple, have already taken steps to implement protective features – to make this goal a reality.

Companies must introduce these measures without threatening privacy or collecting any data. The device should simply block harmful content across all apps and services. Over-18s will still be able to view adult content by providing proof of age.

British safety tech firm SafeToNet has shown this change is already achievable, with software that blocks nude content and prevents images being taken if the camera detects a child.

The Online Safety Act was a landmark step forward in holding companies to account, but the government is clear that more must be done. Big Tech has the money and capability to put a stop to this. Online harms must be confronted with the same urgency as offline abuse.

This announcement makes clear that, in the modern world, the technology industry is central to this mission. Protecting children from sexual abuse should not be optional – it is a moral duty.

Source: Commons Library Research published on this website Monday 8 June 2026 by Jill Powell

There will be a debate to be announced, on government regulation of maternity nurses, nannies and the infant sleep industry.

The NHS has produced various webpages on baby sleep advice:

• Newborn and baby sleeping advice for parents
• Safer sleep
• Helping your baby to sleep

Stakeholder concerns

Various stakeholders have raised concerns about a lack of regulation regarding who can give advice on infants sleeping and misinformation online that could put infants’ health at harm.

In May 2026, a BBC investigation found some “self-described sleep experts” were giving new parents advice that goes against established NHS safe sleep guidelines. In the investigation, stakeholders raised concerns about a lack of support and guidance for parents and a lack of qualifications needed for someone to call themselves a “sleep expert” or “maternity nurse”. Stakeholders called for further regulation of advice being given in the industry to make sure it is evidence-based and safe, and training for people giving advice.

The charity lullaby trust has warned against “misleading marketing” around baby products. Research published in March 2026 by the lullaby trust found that from a survey of 1,000 UK parents and carers, while 95% said they felt confident about baby sleep safety, only 5% were able to correctly identify all safer sleep set-ups when shown a range of sleep environments. The survey found parents and carers reported items that don’t follow NHS safer sleep guidelines, such as cuddly toys or a blanket, present in 9 out of 10 baby sleep spaces, and many parents believed they were harmless “highlighting how easily unsafe practices can become normalised through clever marketing”.

Protected titles

In the UK, some health professions (such as doctors) are regulated by law. This includes the protection of the professional title and the requirement for professionals to be registered with a designated regulator to practise. For example, only those registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) can legally refer to themselves as a “medical practitioner,” and only those on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register can use the title “registered nurse.”

Whilst “registered nurse” is currently a protected title, “nurse” is not. Various stakeholders, including parliamentarians, have called for “nurse” to be a protected title to prevent the spread of misinformation and people using the title without registered nursing qualifications.

In May 2025, the government announced plans to introduce legislation in this Parliament to fully protect the title of “nurse”. The government’s press release said “there will be exemptions for relevant professions like veterinary nurse, dental nurse and nursery nurse, where the title ‘nurse’ is legitimately used”. 

Regulation of childcare providers

All childcare providers registered with OFSTED on the Early Years Register (providing learning, development and care of children from birth to 5) are required to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which requires babies to be placed down to sleep in line with the latest government safety guidance. There are also minimum qualification requirements that staff must meet in order to be included in the mandatory staff-to-child ratios  (see written parliamentary question 103417 [on Pre-school Education: Sleep], 4 February 2026).

Nannies and home carers do not have to register with OFSTED but they can join the voluntary part of the Childcare Register if they wish. They are not able to join the Early Years Register. Childcare providers registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, and not the Early Years Register, such as nannies, do not have to follow the EYFS statutory framework (see written parliamentary question 31566 [on Nannies: Registration].

Reading List

Nursery World, Updates to EYFS framework to strengthen safer sleep requirements after Genevieve Meehan’s death, 31 March 2026

BBC News, Dangerous baby-sleep advice given to parents by self-described experts, secret filming reveals, 5 May 2026

BBC News, Calls for ‘urgent action’ on baby-sleep industry after BBC investigation, 12 May 2026

National Nanny Association, Nanny Regulation in the UK: The Road to Regulation

Parliamentary material

Parliamentary question

Maternity Care (14 April 2026, 783 c675)

Asked: Regulation of infant sleep industry and that ‘maternity nurse’ is not a protected term.

Answered: There will shortly be a review into the title of ‘nurse’, and changes to ensure ‘nurse’ is a professional title.

Source: Department for Education published on this website Tuesday 9 June 2026

 Parents will soon get clear, practical guidance to help them manage their children’s screen use - which could include advice on when a child should get their first smartphone.  

At the same time, ministers are taking action to shape how technology is used in schools, helping children benefit from innovation while giving parents and teachers greater confidence that the tools used in classrooms are safe, effective and evidence-based.  

From scrolling and social media to sleep and learning, families are facing challenges previous generations never had. New guidance will offer practical, evidence‑based support for parents of children aged 5–16.  

Today, the government is launching a three‑week call for evidence to inform the guidance, which will be published this autumn. It will be informed by an independent expert group co‑chaired by Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and Professor Russell Viner.  
 The call for evidence will also seek views on screen use in schools, helping government build a complete picture of children’s digital lives and understand where technology can best support learning.  

The government is clear that technology is now part of childhood and can bring real benefits when used well - from learning and creativity to connection and support for children with SEND. That is why the guidance will avoid blanket rules and help families make informed choices, while wider reforms will ensure technology used in schools is safe, effective and supports better outcomes for children.  

The guidance builds on the government’s existing action to support children to thrive in the digital age. That includes a legal requirement for phone-free classrooms, the Online Safety Act, the first screen use guidance for parents of under-fives, and a consultation looking at everything – from a blanket ban to apps curfews and time limits.  

Over 110,000 people responded including parents and children, and the government is aiming to set out its response as soon as possible. 

Parents can see the difference. New polling published today shows that 86% support the government’s screen use guidance for under-fives, while 82% say it is already helping families build healthier habits for young children.  

The need for support is clear. While 96% of parents believe their child benefits from being online, fewer than three in ten think the benefits outweigh the risks when it comes to social media, messaging and video-sharing platforms.  

The call for evidence will also seek views on screen use in schools, recognising that children’s digital lives span both home and education. Evidence gathered will help inform the new guidance as well as wider work to ensure technology used in classrooms supports learning, improves outcomes and protects children from harm.  

Alongside the guidance, the government, working with the Children’s Commissioner, is recruiting for a new AI Youth Advisory Board, giving young people a direct say in how emerging technologies affect their lives.  

Later this year, ministers will consult on new independent safety certification for some types of technology used in schools, including generative AI and filtering and monitoring products.  

On top of this, the government is also developing a clear framework on what good AI and technology products look like in practice and working with teachers and technology companies to co-design AI tools that could give up to 450,000 disadvantaged pupils access to tutoring support. Up to eight companies will work with partner schools to develop safe and effective products, with successful tools being made available to schools from 2027. 

This will mean schools can trust that the tools they buy have been independently checked and meet clear safety standards and are of sound quality- so teachers can focus on teaching, not on navigating a complex and fast-moving market.

Source: The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) published on this website Friday 4 June 2026 by Jill Powell

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) welcomes the publication of the Lord Mann Review which looked at how the regulatory system for healthcare professionals tackles antisemitism and other forms of racism at every stage, from employment through to professional oversight. 

Racism and antisemitism in the NHS can have a major impact on public trust and confidence in professionals and in healthcare services more widely, and can make patients and families, as well as staff feel unsafe. It is important that professional regulators, along with other parts of the system, play their part in combatting it robustly. 

The Review recommends expanded powers for the PSA. These include a new power for the PSA to appeal interim order decisions which are made ahead of a final decision on a healthcare professional’s fitness to practise. Interim orders can be used to prevent or restrict a professional’s practice before a full investigation is undertaken in cases where there is a significant risk to public safety or confidence. There is also a new power proposed for the PSA to require that the General Medical Council (GMC) shares information with us. This is intended to support our oversight role. These proposed powers are currently being consulted on as part of the new legislative framework for the GMC. 

Lord Mann’s Review also recommends additional accountability arrangements and enhanced expectations for the PSA on convening and communicating with regulators about their responsibilities in this area. There is a range of further recommendations for regulators, employers and wider stakeholders.  

We welcome the recommendations set out in the Review and will begin to plan how we will work with others to take them forward. We will publish further information later this month about the new proposed powers in our response to the consultation on the GMC’s new legislation.