Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 28151 on Offences against Children: Inquiries, how the £5 million will be allocated to local authorities; and whether local authorities must bid for such funding.

On 16 January 2025, the Home Secretary announced a funding package to deliver stronger national support for locally-led work on tackling group-based child sexual exploitation. This includes supporting Oldham Council who have confirmed work to undertake a local inquiry that has already begun. We are in the process of consulting with local authorities and relevant stakeholders on the design and delivery of this package and will update the House in due course.

Baroness Casey is leading the National Audit in her role as the Government's lead Non-Executive Director. She is therefore not receiving additional remuneration for the Audit.