Children's commissioner

Carole Easton, ChildLine's chief executive, said: "For the past 15 years ChildLine has been at the forefront of the campaign for a Children's commissioner for England, contributing in particular to the debate about the responsibilities and powers of the role. We're delighted that the commissioner's influence, and the changes the role can make to the lives of children, now rest in the hands of Professor Aynsley-Green.

"While the powerful views of young people should drive the commissioner's agenda, Professor Aynsley-Green's background expertise in what affects children and young people's physical and mental wellbeing, and his knowledge of the services they currently receive, will enable him to be a credible, effective and influential champion.

"We look forward very much to building a close working relationship with the new commissioner.

"As well as hearing directly from children himself, we hope Professor Aynsley-Green will want to draw on the experiences of the 450 children ChildLine helps every day, which are a goldmine of information as to how children's lives in this country need to be improved."

Stakeholder Response: British Youth Council

Daniel Wood, chairman of the British Youth Council, said: "We welcome the

appointment of Professor Al Aynsley-Green as England's first children's commissioner.

"BYC has been part of a coalition of organisations campaigning for an independent children and young people's rights champion for the past 13 years and played a role in urging the government to give England's commissioner the same strong powers as the others existing in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

"BYC believes that it is important that the commissioner champions young people's rights as well as the rights of children, promoting awareness of the views and interests of children and young people. We hope that the commissioner will work towards this as a long term goal.

"BYC would also like to see the children's commissioner fully acknowledge young people, and we call upon him to reflect this in his title."

Stakeholder Response: Rotary International