UK Government Rejects Call for New Grooming Gangs Inquiry

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has rejected calls from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham for a new national inquiry into historical grooming gangs, despite growing pressure from political figures and survivors. The debate follows revelations of child sexual abuse in areas such as Oldham and Rochdale, with Burnham advocating for a limited inquiry to address systemic failures.

On Wednesday, MPs voted against a Conservative amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that sought to mandate a fresh national investigation. The Tories accused Labour of neglecting justice for victims, while Burnham criticized the move as political opportunism. He argued for a focused inquiry to compel evidence from individuals who may face charges.

Nandy, MP for Wigan, acknowledged Burnham’s concerns but emphasized the importance of implementing recommendations from the 2022 Jay inquiry, which examined thousands of cases of child sexual abuse. “That inquiry found what every inquiry has found, that young girls weren’t believed because they were young, they were female, and they were working-class,” Nandy said on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.

The Jay inquiry, commissioned by former Prime Minister Theresa May, highlighted systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children. Nandy noted that some Greater Manchester Police officers had refused to participate in local inquiries, a situation she described as “astonishing.” However, she stressed that the government’s priority is to act on existing recommendations rather than launch another lengthy investigation.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to outline further measures to address child sexual abuse in the coming weeks. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has warned that a new inquiry could delay action, though he acknowledged differing views among survivors on the need for one.

Labour peer Baroness Harriet Harman has called for closer scrutiny of the grooming gangs scandal, suggesting a task force or mini-inquiry to address unresolved issues. Meanwhile, Nandy expressed concern that survivors who participated in the Jay inquiry are losing faith in the process due to the lack of implemented recommendations.

Prof. Alexis Jay, who led the 2022 inquiry, is set to answer questions from MPs on the Commons home affairs committee on January 21. The government has not ruled out a future inquiry, with Nandy stating, “Child abuse by its very nature is hidden, it’s secretive, and, at various points, I’m sure that more will come out about the scandals that we’ve heard.”