Context
Last week, Fiona Goddard, a survivor of grooming gang abuse, testified that she was trafficked to Scotland as a teenager. This prompted concerns about the issue crossing UK borders and affecting different regions.
Question
Fiona Goddard spoke last week of how she was trafficked to Scotland as a vulnerable teenager. The hon. Member believes this is 'insane' given clear evidence from victims about grooming gangs operating in Scotland, despite the SNP Government refusing to hold an inquiry. Will the Minister extend the national inquiry to Scotland so that young girls and teenagers are not treated in this way again?
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Jess Phillips)
While the national inquiry covers England and Wales, any information can be given to the inquiry. Evidence regarding trafficking into Scotland is one example. However, due to different devolved responsibilities in areas such as police, justice, education, children’s services, and health in Scotland compared to England and Wales, recommendations need frameworks where they can be fully implemented. The Minister committed to working with all nations to ensure that findings improve the situation.
Not addressed: The specific request to extend the remit of the inquiry to include Scotland was not directly addressed.
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