Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she intends to take to implement the recommendations made in the Independent Inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham from 1997 to 2013.

The failings in Rotherham exposed by this inquiry are appalling and the Coalition Government is absolutely clear that the lessons of past failures must be learned. This report was commissioned by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in October 2013. The terms of reference state that the Council will make public their response to the report, which I understand they are now currently considering.

I visited Rotherham in early September to meet interested parties and emphasise the importance the Government attaches to this matter. The Government has announced the establishment of an independent Child Abuse Inquiry Panel to examine the way state and non-state institutions have treated child sexual exploitation. It will take full account of what happened in Rotherham and elsewhere, and will advise on any further action (which would include any legislative changes) needed to address any gaps or failings within our current child protection systems. In addition, the National Group, which I lead, will later this year be publishing an update workplan, which will take into account the events in Rotherham.