THE boss of Wilpshire-based charity Child Action Northwest has welcomed a Government change of heart on proposals to privatise child protection services.

Following protests by social work experts, ministers abandoned plans to allow English local authorities to outsource such work to private companies.

It will continue to consider a bigger role for charities and social enterprises.

CAN chief executive Sue Cotton said: “It is positive to see that the Government has listened to public opinion and those working directly with children and young people to recognise that the safety and protection of children is too important to be measured by profit margins.”