‘Grant right to grandparents to see children they so adore’

GRANDPARENTS estranged from grandchildren because of family breakdown will have new access rights under plans being considered by ministers.

Justice Minister Lucy Frazer QC has agreed to look at rules allowing grandchildren to maintain contact with grandparents after parental separation following pressure from MPs and campaigning groups.

They want an amendment to the Children Act, which would include a child’s right to have a close relationship with members of their extended family. The change would also cover aunts and uncles.

The current rules mean relatives have to apply to court to gain access rights and then have a child arrangement order put in place.

Tory MP Ms Frazer said: “Grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren, and I sympathise with those who experience the anguish of being prevented from seeing their grandchildren if a parental relationship ends.

“I am looking at what measures the Government could take to help more grandchildren maintain contact with grandparents following parental separation and will make an announcement about the Government’s plans in due course.”

Her comments follow research which suggests up to a million grandchildren are split from grandparents following family separation or bereavement.

There has been an increase of almost 20 per cent in applications made by grandparents for child arrangements since 2014, rising to 1,915 in 2016.

The separate data was released recently in response to a parliamentary question.

Next month Tory MP Nigel Huddleston will meet Ms Frazer to discuss how to change the law.

He wants the UK to follow other European systems, such as France, where access between grandchildren and grandparents is a legal presumption following divorce or family break-up.

Mr Huddleston said he knew of grandparents who had been accused of harassment and were visited by police after sending birthday cards and Christmas gifts.

He said: “Divorce and family breakdown can take an emotional toll on all involved.

“But the family dynamic that is all too often overlooked is that between grandparents and their grandchildren, and sometimes in an awkward divorce children can be used as weapons and access denied.

“Some grandparents call this a kind of living bereavement.

“Since I started to campaign I have been inundated with calls, emails and letters from across the country from people who have no access to grandchildren in a way I have never experienced before.

“It affects a significant section of the population and the strength of feeling and emotional impact of this is incredible.”

He added: “The law needs to change whilst ensuring we have safeguards in place where there may be safety concerns.

“I will put pressure on the Justice Minister to create a new system and continue to raise the issue in the House of Commons through questions and debates.”

The cross-party campaign also has support of Labour MP Darren Jones.

He said: “We need to get a balance between fairness and equity in the law so grandchildren have a right to see their grandparents.

“I have met many constituents who have been affected and there is little we can do to help.”