Oral Answers to Questions

John Lamont Excerpts

Thursday 5th February 2026 Commons Chamber

The Solicitor General was asked—

[John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con)]

1. What steps she is taking to increase prosecution rates for grooming gang perpetrators.

[The Solicitor General (Ellie Reeves)]

This Government remain absolutely committed to stamping out the appalling crimes of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The national inquiry chaired by Baroness Longfield is due to start in March. The Crown Prosecution Service has seen a 25% increase in child sex abuse prosecutions over the past three years. In December, it secured convictions against two men in Bury for crimes during the 1990s, resulting in sentences of 28 and 30 years. We are dedicated to ensuring that victims continue to receive the justice they deserve.

[John Lamont]

Baroness Casey’s audit of group-based child sexual exploitation found

“a collective failure to properly deter and prosecute offenders or to protect children from harm.”

These crimes happen across borders and in every part of the United Kingdom, so what more can be done to ensure that prosecution services, including the CPS and Scotland’s Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, take a joined-up approach to bringing these vile offenders to justice?

[The Solicitor General]

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. Many of the local services under review in the national inquiry starting in March, particularly child protection and policing, are devolved responsibilities in Scotland and Northern Ireland. My understanding is that the Scottish Government have finally ordered a national review of the evidence on the operation of grooming gangs in Scotland. All parts of the UK must work together to protect children and bring perpetrators to justice.