Fifteen neglect deaths revealed

Khalid Mahmood called for action to reduce the number of child deaths

Over the last four years 15 children have died in Birmingham as a result of abuse or neglect, an ongoing inquiry into child deaths has revealed.

Birmingham Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood told the Commons the city council figures were "wholly unacceptable".

Children's Minister Beverley Hughes replied that a government team was looking into the case as a "matter or urgency" and was soon to report back.

The council said the number of deaths had not increased annually.

An intervention team, consisting of experts from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), has been liaising with Birmingham social services since December.

It follows a report by the children's services watchdog Ofsted which detected "inadequacies" in the council's ability to safeguard vulnerable children.

'Serious difficulty'

Earlier this month, it was revealed eight children had died over three years as result of abuse and neglect in the city.

But figures from the council's Safeguarding Children Board which go back a year earlier to 2005, have revealed there have been 15 deaths over four years.

It is believed 13 out of the 15 children were known to social services.

Mr Mahmood told the Commons: "Fifteen children's lives have been lost over the last four years - this is wholly unacceptable."

He asked Ms Hughes: "Would she like to intervene to provide good leadership in that local authority to ensure that is reduced."

Ms Hughes told the MP a government team had "gone into Birmingham" in December.

She said: "They will be reporting to me very shortly with their recommendations for action in relation to that local authority, which as he said, seems to be in serious difficulty."

The council previously said the city had the largest local authority in Europe and catered for more than 250,000 children and teenagers.

Tony Howell, chairman of Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board, said: "Whilst the death of every child is a tragedy, the number of deaths in Birmingham has not increased annually."

He said it was working closely with the DCSF and Ofsted to ensure any improvements that can be made were put into practice.

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