Local government leaders and social workers today called for a change of culture and warned of ‘political scapegoating' after the announcement of plans for prison sentences for anyone who fails to act on suspicions of child sexual abuse.

Prime minister David Cameron warned that those who turn a blind eye to child sex abuse out of a ‘warped sense of political correctness' would face five years in gaol.

The government is to consult on extending the new criminal offence of ‘wilful neglect' of patients to children's social care, education and politicians as part of its response to a series of damning reports revealing widespread organised child sex abuse.