Dwelling Secretary Yvette Cooper has introduced plans to offer £5m for 5 government-backed native inquiries into grooming gangs.
She mentioned Tom Crowther, who led an inquiry in Telford, would assist Oldham and 4 different pilot areas but to be named, develop their very own critiques.
Cooper additionally introduced a “speedy” audit to look at the ethnicity and demographics of gangs and their victims, in addition to the “cultural drivers” behind the offending.
Conservative shadow house secretary Chris Philp mentioned it was “wholly insufficient” for the federal government to again simply 5 native inquiries and requested what assist can be obtainable for different areas.
He additionally expressed concern that the native inquiries wouldn’t have powers to compel witnesses to attend and provides proof beneath oath.
Between 1997 and 2013, cities and cities – together with Oldham and Rotherham – have been blighted by gangs of males, predominantly of Pakistani descent, who raped and trafficked youngsters as younger as 11.
An unbiased report, revealed by Prof Alexis Jay in 2014, estimated 1,400 ladies had been abused in Rotherham. She would later go on to guide a nationwide evaluation into baby sexual abuse, which lasted seven years and made 20 suggestions when it was revealed in 2022.
The Conservatives have argued that the report didn’t sufficiently study grooming gangs and known as for brand spanking new nationwide inquiry.
In latest days three Labour MPs additionally publicly expressed assist for a nationwide inquiry – Dan Carden, Rotherham MP Sarah Champion, and Rochdale MP Paul Waugh.
Different senior Labour figures, together with Higher Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, additionally joined the calls, saying they might assist a restricted new inquiry.
The problem has been thrust into the highlight by tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has criticised the prime minister for not calling a nationwide inquiry.
Musk responded to Cooper’s announcement by saying on his X platform: “I hope it is a correct investigation.”
Prof Jay rejected requires a brand new nationwide inquiry final week, saying victims need to see motion on her suggestions and a brand new inquiry would trigger delays.
The prime minister and Labour ministers have mentioned their precedence was to implement the Jay suggestions, and Cooper introduced that one of many key factors – obligatory reporting – can be added to the Crime and Policing Invoice.
In an announcement within the Home of Commons, Cooper mentioned that regardless of Prof Jay’s report and different inquiries, “shamefully little progress had been made”.
“That has bought to vary,” she mentioned and added that by Easter, the federal government would set out a “clear timetable” for implementing the Jay report’s suggestions.
Cooper argued that “efficient native inquiries can delve into way more native element and ship extra regionally related solutions, and alter, than a prolonged nationwide inquiry can present”
She mentioned Tom Crowther, who led an inquiry in Telford, would assist the federal government develop a brand new framework for “victim-centred locally-led inquiries the place they’re wanted”.
She mentioned this is able to start by working with Oldham Council and as much as 4 different pilot areas, with £5m being put as much as “get work off the bottom”.
Pressed on whether or not the inquiries would have authorized powers to summon witnesses, Cooper mentioned there have been totally different approaches that might be taken and that the federal government can be working with native mayors and native councils to “make it possible for we are able to strengthen the accountability preparations”.
