Parliamentary activity

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

MHCLG is fully committed to supporting the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs and will co-operate with the Inquiry throughout the course of its work. In accordance with its legal obligations and the Inquiry’s procedures, my department will respond to requests for information and provide relevant material as required.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Secretary of State has not had any meetings with interested external parties, including Baroness Longfield and other panel members, regarding the progress of the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs since her reappointment to the department on 20 July. We cannot account for her time prior to this.

Answering body: Home Office

I meet regularly with the Chair of the Inquiry to monitor progress.The final Terms of Reference were published for the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs on 31 March and the Inquiry was formally established on 13 April 2026, under the Inquiries Act 2005. The Inquiry is time-limited for 3 years and a budget of £65 million. It has powers to compel witnesses and will run a series of local investigations, examining failings in historic and current practices at both local and national levels.

On 24 June 2026, the Inquiry published its Victims and Survivors Charter, setting out how it will engage with victims and survivors throughout its work, alongside its local area selection criteria, which explain how areas are chosen for investigation. It also confirmed Bradford and Keighley, and London as the first areas for local investigation, alongside Oldham, announced in December 2025. The Inquiry publishes updates on its website: www.grooming-gangs.independent-inquiry.uk.

Answering body: Home Office

On 9 December 2025 the Home Secretary announced to Parliament the appointment of Baroness Anne Longfield CBE as Chair of the new Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, and Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE as Panel.The Home Office has had regular...

Answering body: Home Office

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 engag...

Answering body: Home Office

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 enga...

Answering body: Home Office

The National Inquiry will utilise existing legislation in the Inquiries Act 2005 to appoint an independent chair who will determine the conduct and procedure of the inquiry. We will announce further details on the inquiry, including the appointment of an ...