Keir Starmer has said he is considering the introduction of mandatory CCTV in nurseries following the death of a Cheadle Hulme baby in a nursery in 2022. 

Genevieve 'Gigi' Meehan was found unresponsive after being left face-down on a bean bag in Tiny Toes nursery, which is now closed. 

Nursery worker Kate Roughley was said to have swaddled Gigi too tightly to move before leaving her on the bean bag, where she suffocated over the course of 90 minutes on 9 May, 2022. 

CCTV footage revealed that Roughley, 37, had proceeded to ignore Gigi as she struggled, and went on to tell a colleague: "If you keep yourself busy, you can't hear her crying." 

In May 2024, she was found guilty of unlawful act manslaughter, and sentenced to 14 years in prison. 

At Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson called on the PM to ask what measures would be put in place to ensure children are protected in nurseries, in light of an ongoing trial at Bristol Crown Court. 

Childcare worker Nathan Bennet pled guilty to 13 sexual offences involving five two- and three-year-old boys, though denies 11 further charges. 

As it stands, CCTV cameras are not a legal requirement in UK nurseries. A campaign launched by Gigi's family calling for mandatory CCTV also calls for unannounced Ofsted inspections and statutory requirements on safer sleep training. 

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Wilson pointed to a string of abuse cases in nurseries over the years – including that of Gigi Meehan. 

"The manslaughter of baby Gigi Meehan at a nursery in Cheadle, 21 counts of child cruelty at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham Green, in my constituency, 56 charges of sexual assault and creating indecent images at a nursery in Camden," she said. 

"And just this week, 21 counts of sexual abuse at a nursery in Bristol. CCTV was critical for convicting the criminals in most of these cases. 

"So will the Prime Minister ensure that no parent ever has to fear for their child's safety while they go to work by introducing mandatory CCTV in nurseries and a childcare workers register?" 

In response, Keir Starmer said he is considering including the proposals. 

"They are harrowing cases for everyone in this country. The safety of children is, of course, paramount, and we're acting to keep them safe. 

"We're implementing all the proposals consulted on to strengthen safeguarding as part of our early years foundation stage framework expert group, developing guidance on the effective use of CCTV, the point she makes, and considering whether it should be mandatory in early settings."