A surprising loophole in the countries’ ‘position of trust’ laws, which currently apply to professions such as teachers and doctors, will be closed to make it illegal for people in those positions to have sex with 16- and 17-year-olds that they supervise. (The age of consent in the UK is 16.)

The move comes after years of campaigning by groups worried that the loophole provided safe ground for abusers.

Peter Wanless, the chief executive of children’s charity the NSPCC, said: ‘This landmark step sends a clear message that children and young people can return to the extracurricular activities they love without being at risk of grooming by the very adults they should look to for support and guidance.’

Amen to that.