VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Offences against Children: Inquiries

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentHome OfficeTabled Answered 3 December 2025UIN 94570

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her will can provide (a) an update on the progress of the grooming gangs inquiry and (b) a timeline for the commencement of the different stages of the inquiry.

Answered by Jess Phillips

We are working urgently to establish the inquiry and Baroness Casey of Blackstock is supporting this process.Our immediate priority is appointing a Chair with the credibility and experience to lead the inquiry, ensuring a trauma-informed approach to engaging victims and survivors throughout - from its design to reporting. We aim to announce a Chair as soon as possible.Once a Chair is appointed, in line with the requirements of the Inquiries Act 2005, the Chair will play a central role in shaping the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference and will consult on a draft of these before they are finalised. It is the Terms of Reference that will determine the scope of the inquiry. Once inpost the Chair will set out an inquiry timeline based on the requirements of the Terms of Reference.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim