YORK Central MP Rachael Maskell is to lead a push for changes aimed at ensuring adoptive children and families receive the support they need.

The Labour MP said she was delighted to be chairing the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for Adoption & Permanence.

She said approximately three-quarters of adopted children were removed from their birth parents because of abuse and neglect and as a result of their early experiences, they were much more likely than their peers to struggle with education, relationships and employment.

She said: "Adopted children have had a very tough start in life and they deserve the attention of policy makers to ensure they are able to build a better future.

“I want to ensure that families receive the very support they need pre and post adoption, and will ensure that the APPG brings a laser focus to the challenges facing parents and children.

"Government has a crucial role in adopting global best practice and resourcing essential services to build strong, loving and resilient families, and the APPG on Adoption and Permanence will provide an important vehicle to take the voice of adopters, kinship carers and young people into Government."