Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a cross-party commission to progress the public inquiry into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Government is driving forward work to establish the National Inquiry into Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse under the Inquiries Act 2005. It will be overseen by an Independent Commission with statutory powers to compel evidence and testimony so that institutions can be held to account for current and historic failures.

To further strengthen this work, the Prime Minister has confirmed that Baroness Louise Casey will support the inquiry, bringing her extensive experience to help uncover the truth and drive meaningful change.

Cross-party collaboration is vital in tackling child sexual abuse, including group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse. We are committed to enhancing transparency, public confidence, and progress in this vital area.