Varley's partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years for allowing Varley's treatment of the child and taking part in the sexual abuse.

At education questions on Monday, Phillipson said she was "glad that justice has been served" as she described the two men as "evil abusers".

Education committee chairwoman Helen Hayes had pressed ministers to set out a timetable for implementing "multi-agency child protection teams in every local authority area".

The Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood said: "In light of the serious safeguarding failings in Preston's case and other recent cases of children who should have been safe in the care of the state, can the Secretary of State set out the expected timetable for implementing these reforms, and how quickly we can expect to see stronger safeguarding practice consistently nationwide?"

Philipson said it was a "shocking case" as she committed to rolling out the safeguards in the Act by March.

She added: "Our thoughts must be with all of those who loved and knew Preston, and it is right that the evil abusers that committed these sickening and shocking crimes are now behind bars.

"The House can be assured that we take this extremely seriously, it is why I have asked for independent experts to look at Oldham Council, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the regional adoption agency to look carefully at all of the issues and concerns that have been raised through this process.

"The child safeguard practice review is commencing, led by the local safeguarding partnership with the national child safeguarding practice review, working closely to make sure it is of the highest quality."

Reform UK education spokeswoman Suella Braverman said: "Amongst the army of health visitors, social workers and medics who saw baby Preston – why did nobody raise the alarm? And what action is being taken now to safeguard the welfare of those children under the care of Oldham Council now?"

Phillipson said it was "an urgent priority for this incoming Government to update legislation to make sure we do everything within our power to keep children safe".

"I am glad that justice has been served. We can't bring Preston back, but we can make sure that we do everything within our power to stop this happening to other children in future", she added.