YORK Outer MP Julian Sturdy has raised concerns in the Commons about the powers of the Charities Commission to safeguard children and young people in sport.

He spoke out during a parliamentary debate which focused on further steps to protect children attending sports clubs in the wake of the high-profile historic sexual-abuse scandal involving young players at football clubs.

He said various inquiries had been established by the Football Association, Scottish Football Association and more than 20 UK police forces.

He suggested the commission, "whilst very good at ensuring clubs and organisations have correct policies in place, lack the teeth to actually carry anything through".

Mr Sturdy said afterwards that many of his constituents had children attending sports clubs and the vast majority had the confidence that adequate safeguarding procedures were in place.

“However, there are those few that do raise concerns about specific incidents and find it extremely difficult to seek redress,” he said, adding that whilst great developments had been made in recent years to ensure clubs had adequate safeguarding policies, there seemed to be no institution to intervene when policies were not adhered to correctly.