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Child Sexual Exploitation Casey Report 2025-06-16
16 June 2025
Lead MP
The Secretary of State for the Home Department
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementTaxation
Other Contributors: 52
At a Glance
The Secretary of State for the Home Department raised concerns about child sexual exploitation casey report 2025-06-16 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Today, I am updating the House on the audit commissioned from Baroness Casey on child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs. The audit reveals deep-rooted failures in protecting children, leading to perpetrators being let off despite committing heinous crimes. We are now increasing arrests and investigations, introducing mandatory reporting duty and aggravated offences for grooming offenders in the Crime and Policing Bill. The audit also identifies over-representation of Asian and Pakistani-heritage men among suspects based on local data from three police forces. To address these issues, we will implement 12 recommendations, including changing laws to protect children, launching a new national criminal investigation into grooming gangs, establishing a national inquiry for accountability, improving ethnicity data collection, and supporting child victims through online abuse prevention measures.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Question
The MP asks the Secretary of State to outline the legal basis for Baroness Casey's investigation and inquest powers, as well as ensuring that victims are not re-traumatised during the process.
Minister reply
The Government did not have the power to instruct Baroness Casey on how to conduct her audit. However, she has established a robust process to avoid re-traumatisation of victims, and her report sets out specific recommendations for further investigations.
Diana Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
Question
The MP inquires about the role of social media companies in tackling child exploitation and suggests that Baroness Casey's audit should have examined this aspect more closely.
Minister reply
Baroness Casey has highlighted the importance of addressing online abuse, but her mandate was to focus on grooming gangs. The Government will work with social media companies to prevent the use of their platforms for illegal activity.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
York Central
Question
The MP seeks clarification on how local authorities and statutory bodies have responded to the audit, requesting a comprehensive report on these responses.
Minister reply
Local authorities are responding positively to Baroness Casey's recommendations. The Government will provide further details on the national inquiry that will oversee local investigations.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Question
The MP asks about the level of funding available for the national audit and the national inquiry, as well as how victims can receive financial support.
Minister reply
Funding details will be released in due course. The Government is committed to supporting victims through various programmes and ensuring they receive justice.
Gareth Johnson
Con
Dartford
Question
The MP enquires about the time frame for establishing a national inquiry, considering the urgency of the issue.
Minister reply
A national inquiry will be set up promptly to address past failures and ensure accountability. The Government aims to expedite this process.
Kemi Badenoch
Con
North West Essex
Question
The Government's handling of the scandal is an extraordinary failure of leadership. Labour MPs have voted against national inquiries multiple times and did nothing to support victims’ calls for justice.
Minister reply
We will not comment on the shadow's political motives but reaffirm our commitment to robust action based on Baroness Casey’s recommendations.
Paul Waugh
Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
Question
The MP commends the Home Secretary for commissioning a national audit but criticises the Labour party's delay in addressing child sexual abuse issues. He asks whether any councillor, social worker, police officer or authority should be exempt from scrutiny during the inquiry.
Minister reply
Yvette Cooper agrees with the MP that no one can hide from justice on this issue and stresses the importance of accountability for anyone who failed to act upon knowledge of these crimes.
Lisa Smart
LD
Hazel Grove
Question
The Liberal Democrat spokesperson questions how the Government will ensure survivors are heard and respected, and whether the remaining recommendations from Professor Jay's report will be implemented alongside the new national inquiry. She also asks about introducing a duty of candour.
Minister reply
Yvette Cooper affirms the importance of ensuring survivors' voices shape both the inquiry and its outcomes. She mentions measures are already underway in the Home Office for implementing recommendations. On the Hillsborough law, she explains that it is being worked on to meet expectations.
Naz Shah
Lab
Bradford West
Question
The MP thanks the Home Secretary and emphasises support from British Muslims against grooming gangs. She asks whether those displaying selective outrage or blaming entire communities are undermining efforts to protect victims.
Minister reply
Yvette Cooper welcomes her hon. Friend's points about community anger towards these crimes, reiterating the importance of bringing perpetrators to justice.
Question
Welcoming the shadow Home Secretary's concern about inquiries and criminal trials prejudice, Yvette Cooper assured that Baroness Casey will provide clear details of her findings.
Minister reply
Arrangements with police forces to ensure ongoing investigations are not compromised will be made.
Shaun Davies
Lab
Telford
Question
Praising survivors and highlighting the Telford local review, Shaun Davies questions the number of local reviews without proper attention from Ministers.
Minister reply
Recommends action on implementation of recommendations to ensure they are not left unaddressed.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Question
Concerning the decision for councils to opt-out of inquiries, Robbie Moore seeks clarity on the message to local leaders and victims.
Minister reply
The Safeguard Minister met Fiona Goddard to ensure her concerns are heard and addressed by the national inquiry.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Question
Welcoming the statement, Debbie Abrahams highlights delays in justice system and asks for consideration on making misogyny a hate crime.
Minister reply
The Lord Chancellor is working to reform backlog issues in Crown court cases.
Mark Pritchard
Con
The Wrekin
Question
Questions the opportunity for local inquiries to fall under remit of national inquiry.
Minister reply
Decisions will be made by independent chair, but representations can be made by MPs about their areas.
Andrew Pakes
Lab
Peterborough
Question
Welcoming the statement and addressing taxi licensing confusion in Peterborough.
Minister reply
Transport Secretary is looking at reforms to close loopholes ensuring passenger safety and fair competition for drivers.
Josh Babarinde
Lib Dem
Eastbourne
Question
As a survivor, Josh Babarinde demands reassurance that this initiative will not be another set of unfulfilled promises.
Minister reply
Extending therapeutic support to victims and survivors is being planned.
Warrington North
Question
Highlighting inadequacies in criminal injuries compensation for victims of sexual violence, Charlotte seeks financial support.
Minister reply
Safeguarding Minister takes the issue seriously and will look at it further.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Question
Does the Home Secretary think that it will be finished within, let us say, two years for the British people? Given that she quite rightly apologised to the victims and survivors, will she apologise on behalf of the Prime Minister, who smeared and labelled those of us who called for a national inquiry?
Minister reply
In the discussions we have had with Baroness Casey, we had expected that it would take around three years but if the commission is able to work faster than that, people will clearly want answers as swiftly as possible. The Home Secretary reiterated her recognition of past failures and urged others to look at the findings from Louise Casey's report.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab/Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
The Home Secretary outlined the next phase, but if we are really honest with ourselves, for every victim who has come forward to share her horrific testimony, there are so many more girls up and down the country who have not come forward. It is in their interests that we make sure we get this right. The Home Secretary outlined the issues around data and the lack of data gathering.
Minister reply
We need to make it easier for people to come forward, recognise the scale of abuse, and address county lines and sexual exploitation involving young girls. The Home Secretary agreed on the importance of criminal exploitation investigations and ensuring proper data collection.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
Question
This Government have been dragged kicking and screaming to deliver a national inquiry, having dismissed the pleas of the nation as jumping on a far-right bandwagon. That reluctance is why my hon. Friend will continue his inquiry.
Minister reply
The Home Secretary emphasised that everyone should want not just to get to the truth about past failures but also to ensure we make changes for protecting children in the future, including social services and law enforcement actions.
Elsie Blundell
Lab
Heywood and Middleton North
Question
Although welcome, notice of this inquiry will undoubtedly cause a great deal of trauma and distress for both historic and present-day victims. What steps can the Government take to ensure that victims and witnesses have access to robust mental health support?
Minister reply
The Home Secretary acknowledged the need for therapeutic support for victims and survivors and emphasised the importance of increasing resources for child protection measures.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Question
One of the reasons I was not supportive six months ago, in January, of the Government’s strategy was that it could not compel local inquiries to bring forward witnesses, which is key. Could the Home Secretary clarify whether those local inquiries will be able to compel witnesses?
Minister reply
The national inquiry will have full powers to compel witnesses and evidence for every local investigation under direction from the national commission.
Chris Murray
Lab
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Question
My concern is about delay. We have had plenty of inquiries, taskforces and reviews whose conclusions have not been implemented. Will the Home Secretary commit to this inquiry not detracting or diverting resource from the recommendations that we know need to be implemented?
Minister reply
The Home Secretary committed to expanding child trafficking pilot nationally and continuing the implementation of measures such as mandatory data sharing on children at risk.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
There is clearly still something going on, which is that most victims are young girls from broken homes who have been taken into care by local authorities. Will the Home Secretary ensure that witnesses are called to those inquiries under oath so that we can get to the bottom of this?
Minister reply
The national inquiry will have powers to compel witnesses and take evidence under oath, ensuring that institutions involved in abuse can be properly examined.
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
At one of my surgeries, I heard from a civil servant who had gathered evidence for the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse across the whole of England. They described themselves as being “left emotionally and physically drained” after collecting evidence, only for the Government not to act on it. I welcome this Government’s acceptance of the 12 Casey review findings, but will the Secretary of State assure my constituent and other civil servants that there will be no delay in implementing the findings of the IICSA?
Minister reply
I can assure the hon. Member that we are taking forward the recommendations already. The Minister for Safeguarding updated the House on all the IICSA recommendations before Easter. Some require legislation, including legislation that is passing through the House at the moment. We will have further discussions on those issues later this week. We are already able to take forward some of the issues, and we will continue to update the House on the progress of the recommendations.
Derby North
Question
I welcome this evidence-led action on grooming gangs. It takes courage to come forward and share deeply traumatic experiences, so will the Home Secretary confirm that this inquiry will build on the evidence already collected and recommendations made over previous inquiries, investigations and reports, including the last national inquiry, which in 2022 produced a 200-page report specifically on grooming gangs and looked at over 400 recommendations that had already been made? Crucially, will she ensure that there is no delay to the action that this Government are already taking to bring perpetrators to justice, stamp out these vile crimes and protect our vulnerable children?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend. We have agreed to implement all the recommendations from the two-year inquiry into child sexual exploitation conducted as part of the Professor Alexis Jay review. We are taking forward one of those—on aggravated sentencing for grooming offences—as part of the Crime and Policing Bill. We are also introducing similar, parallel arrangements for online abuse because we must ensure that we are also taking action on online grooming, which has escalated and accelerated since Professor Jay’s work.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Question
My Hillingdon constituents have seen the work that the local authority has had to do over many decades to deal with child sexual exploitation and trafficking arising from Heathrow. When I led the Local Government Association’s response—when these cases first came to light—one issue that arose was the sharing of information. Will the Home Secretary assure the House that, following this inquiry, she will upgrade the status of the “Working Together to Safeguard Children” guidance and, in particular, ensure that those bodies accountable to the Home Office, such as the police, understand it and take it as seriously as other bodies do so that we do not see people falling through the cracks between agencies?
Minister reply
I welcome the hon. Member’s points. Baroness Casey’s review identifies that sexual exploitation is a central part of trafficking, and modern slavery as well. I agree with him about the importance of sharing information. Time and again on these basic things, everybody says the right words and then it does not happen in practice. We need the law to change, but we also need systems to change to make it easier to share that information. We will take that forward both in policing and as part of the work that my right hon. Friend the Education Secretary is doing so that it is much easier to share that information.
Llinos Medi
PC
Ynys Môn
Question
Plaid Cymru welcomes the Government’s statement and hope that it will lead to concrete, properly funded action. In February, a Plaid Cymru amendment called on the Welsh Government to work with police forces on an all-Wales audit of child abuse cases, and it was backed unanimously. What concrete steps have been taken between the Welsh and UK Governments since the passing of that vote to bring justice to victims?
Minister reply
The hon. Member will know that many of the issues around social services provisions are matters for the Welsh Government, but issues around policing are covered by the Home Office. We have already been working with police forces across the country to strengthen the work of the child sexual exploitation taskforce to be able to look at different cases that have been closed, as well as to strengthen their work with local partners to be able to pursue these terrible crimes. As part of the policing operation that will be led by the National Crime Agency and draw on expertise from across the country, we will ensure that that connects with the work being done by the Welsh Government. The Safeguarding Minister is following up with devolved Administrations.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Question
Further to the quite pertinent comment from the hon. Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman), this country’s broken social care system for children is potentially creating future victims today, and while a review at local level will look at what happened in the past, we need to do our best to make sure that these crimes by appalling people do not continue. What more will the Home Secretary be doing with the Department for Education to ensure that young people who are being groomed online and groomed in public can spot the signs so that they know when and how to ask for help? Otherwise, unfortunately, we could see this cycle continuing for decades to come.
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend that we need action across social services, and that is why the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that the Education Secretary is taking forward is so important. The issues around online grooming and exploitation are immensely important. This is both about the abuse that stays online, often forcing children to get involved in the most appalling abuse and acts through online blackmail, pressure and coercion, and about the way in which this is used to provoke offline activity leading to offline physical abuse and contact abuse. We are working with the National Crime Agency on new technology to address this and with the Education Department on how we build children’s resilience in dealing with these crimes.
Nick Timothy
Con
West Suffolk
Question
The official document published online by the Government says that the national inquiry will only “co-ordinate a series of targeted local investigations.” How many local investigations will the inquiry co-ordinate? Will it cover the whole of England and Wales—yes or no?
Minister reply
We have not yet appointed or determined the chair for the national inquiry. We will do so and set that out for the House.
Sam Carling
Lab
North West Cambridgeshire
Question
Can the Home Secretary reaffirm the Government's commitment to implement all IICSA recommendations relevant to the Home Office?
Minister reply
Yes, I can. That work is either completed or well under way.
Al Pinkerton
LD
Surrey Heath
Question
Will the Secretary of State ensure that Baroness Casey's report findings are communicated clearly and responsibly to prevent disinformation?
Minister reply
I respect the hon. Member’s important points...the more we ensure that information is robust, the better.
Harpreet Uppal
Lab
Huddersfield
Question
Will best practices like West Yorkshire's Smith algorithm be shared to improve prosecution rates?
Minister reply
Baroness Casey was impressed by the work that West Yorkshire police had done using what it called the Smith algorithm...so I join my hon. Friend in welcoming that work.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Question
What data will be recorded to ensure Sikh victims are not marginalized?
Minister reply
It is immensely important that victims and survivors in every community of every ethnicity can get justice...so that every victim is heard.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham
Question
Is the Home Secretary confident that we are hearing from all victims, including those who were criminalised?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an important point...the tendency to blame victims for the appalling crimes committed against them has been a pervasive problem.
Sarah Bool
Con
South Northamptonshire
Question
When did Baroness Casey submit her findings, and were any requested changes made?
Minister reply
Ten days ago, and this is Baroness Casey’s independent report. Anybody who suggests that she would change her views and reports for anyone has not met her.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Question
Will protocols be changed to ensure victims are not criminalised for the crimes committed against them?
Minister reply
I welcome my hon. Friend’s point...It is more complicated to identify where people are being coerced and where they are actually criminals committing these crimes.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
Why did Labour vote against a similar inquiry when in government?
Minister reply
Child sexual exploitation and abuse are some of the most vile crimes that our country faces...Baroness Casey herself says: 'If we’d got this right years ago—seeing these girls as children raped rather than ‘wayward teenagers’…then I doubt we’d be in this place now.'
Glasgow West
Question
Will the Government commission research into the drivers of group-based child sexual exploitation?
Minister reply
Yes, I can say to my hon. Friend that we accept that recommendation in Baroness Casey’s report and we will commission research...
Julian Smith
Con
Skipton and Ripon
Question
Will the inquiry be held in the north of England and not restricted to Bradford?
Minister reply
I agree that there are challenges with inquiries that can take a long time...We will not restrict where the inquiry goes or where the commission chooses to investigate.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Question
I welcome the Home Secretary’s statement, but I draw attention to institutional failures such as in Bradford where a little girl was murdered by her mother's partner. Social workers feared being accused of homophobia when addressing this issue. The Home Secretary should consider that fear is often an obstacle to child protection.
Minister reply
The mantra around policing is to pursue the evidence without fear or favour, and this must be applied to children’s safety as well.
Jas Athwal
Lab
Ilford South
Question
I thank Baroness Casey for her review and welcome today's decision. How will predators and those who denied victims justice be held accountable following the inquiry?
Minister reply
We must ensure that recommendations are implemented to address past failures, and we aim to hold perpetrators accountable.
Gregory Stafford
Con
Farnham and Bordon
Question
Will the Home Secretary extend restrictions preventing those convicted of these crimes from participating in the asylum system to all crimes against the person?
Minister reply
We are strengthening safeguards, including around sexual offences, but we need to look further at how article 8 is being interpreted.
Aylesbury
Question
The Home Secretary's clarity and focus on action are welcome. However, the process of reopening cases may retraumatise victims. What tools will be put in place to support survivors?
Minister reply
Victims and survivors must have support throughout the process. We will work closely with safeguarding Ministers to keep their concerns in mind.
Ayoub Khan
Ind
Birmingham Perry Barr
Question
The Home Secretary's statement is welcome, especially regarding allowing the NCA to lead the operation. Will she assure us that necessary resources will be provided for this investigation?
Minister reply
We have already provided additional resources for policing and are bringing different programmes closer together under a new centre for public protection.
Anna Dixon
Lab
Shipley
Question
I commend the Home Secretary's statement, especially regarding accepting Baroness Casey’s recommendations. Will she join me in commending West Yorkshire police for securing justice for victims?
Minister reply
West Yorkshire police have done pioneering work to identify victims at risk and summon evidence where there are repeat missing cases.
Solihull West and Shirley
Question
The sexual exploitation of vulnerable children is a stain upon our society. Did the Government ask Baroness Casey to change any elements of her report?
Minister reply
Baroness Casey's report is independent, reflecting her own conclusions as an expert reviewer.
Dan Aldridge
Lab
Weston-super-Mare
Question
I pay tribute to victims and survivors. I found it galling that some Members appointed themselves defenders of abused people for political gain.
Minister reply
This should be about protecting children and tackling serious crime, regardless of party politics.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
I hope something we can all agree on is our admiration for Ann Cryer's work in exposing child abuse back in 2003.
Minister reply
Ann Cryer’s courage and commitment to speaking out about child abuse must be acknowledged, as well as the historic failure that allowed such abuses to continue.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Question
The Home Secretary refers to this inquiry as a national inquiry, but it is not, is it? The inquiry’s terms of reference and scope will exclude concern about grooming and organised sexual exploitation in Northern Ireland, whether by foreign nationals, paramilitary groups or others. Is that less important to this Government?
Minister reply
The hon. and learned Member will understand that Home Office responsibilities around policing and crime cover England and Wales. The Safeguarding Minister will be following up with the devolved Administrations, and it will be for them to decide how they want to take these issues forward, including in Northern Ireland.
Hitchin
Question
Any and every instance of child sexual exploitation should shame all of us, but I think what so many of us found particularly horrific about the grooming gangs scandal was the fact that those crimes continued to be perpetrated because of a failure to act by stakeholders and agencies that had completely indefensible preconceived notions about the victims they were speaking to. Will the Home Secretary ensure that the inquiry has all the powers it needs to compel any and every stakeholder who potentially played a part in walking on by from this scandal to take part and give evidence, and will she legislate where necessary so that anyone who is shown to have played a part in those victims not getting the justice they deserved to begin with is accountable before the law?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right that those attitudes towards teenage girls—towards children—and treating them as adults still persist. Baroness Casey quotes a serious case review of a case involving a teenager online. She was just 12 or 13 years old, and was being drawn into the most explicit and abusive chatrooms and pornographic sites online. This was treated as somehow being the child’s choice, even though there was evidence of exploitation and crime taking place. We have to ensure that we do more to protect our teenagers, and we will bring in the mandatory duty to report to strengthen the law in that area.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Question
I thank the Home Secretary for her statement, and for changing her mind on the need for a national inquiry. She has had the Casey report for the past 10 days. Could she lay out what evidence in that report was most persuasive in changing her mind, or, if she reached that conclusion independent of the report, which factors led her to do so?
Minister reply
That is an important question. I undertook to this House in January that I would look further at how to ensure that local investigations had the powers they needed to compel witnesses or evidence. We pursued that and looked at other powers—those in the Local Government Act, inspection powers and so on. All those powers had complexities attached to them, so we asked Baroness Casey to look at this issue, as well as the responses we got from local authorities. We looked at that evidence, but also asked Baroness Casey to look at it as well and make final recommendations.
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