Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged swift and decisive action following the release of a national audit on grooming gangs, led by Baroness Louise Casey – and Leigh and Atherton MP – Jo Platt – welcomes the news.
The audit revealed systemic failures in addressing abuse, prompting the Home Secretary to endorse and act on all 12 of Casey’s urgent recommendations.
Among the measures announced are a time-limited national inquiry into grooming gang cases and a new requirement for authorities to collect data on the nationality and ethnicity of offenders – steps aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the justice system.
The move signals a major shift in how the government plans to address child exploitation, with Cooper vowing that no community should be left unprotected and no victim unheard.
Jo Platt said: “I welcome the Casey review into grooming gangs and the Government’s commitment to a national inquiry. The victims, brave women and girls, deserve full justice.
“It’s right that the Home Secretary accepted all of Baroness Casey’s recommendations, from changing the law on sexual assaults of over-12s to collecting proper data on ethnicity and nationality.
“It is deeply depressing to see some playing political games and spreading misinformation online about grooming inquiries and votes in the Commons.
“To be clear – I have always been open in my support of a national inquiry. In January, I and many Labour MPs voted against a Tory motion that would have killed the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – legislation carrying key protections for our vulnerable children.
“The public is tired of political games. I am pleased to support this Labour Government that prioritises justice for victims.”