Jess Phillips apologises for grooming gangs report delay
Home Office Minister Jess Phillips has apologised to MPs for a delay to the publication of a report on grooming gangs.In January, the government asked Baroness Louise Casey to lead a "rapid" three-month audit into the data and evidence on the nature and scale of group-based child sexual abuse. Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Conservative frontbencher Katie Lam said Baroness Casey's review, along with a framework for local grooming gang inquiries, had been due for publication in May and asked for an updated timeline. Phillips told MPs she was sorry for the "month's wait" but added "I've waited 14 years", a reference to the length of time the Conservatives were in government.
The minister said Baroness Casey had requested a "short extension" to her work and that it was expected "very shortly". "When we have the report the government will respond to it and lay out its plans with all the evidence in hand," she added.
At the start of the year, the government dismissed calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, arguing it had already been examined in a seven-year inquiry, led by Prof Alexis Jay.Instead Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a "rapid audit" led by Baroness Casey to examine the "data and evidence to draw a comprehensive picture of the nature, scale and profile of group-based child sexual abuse offending". She also announced an initial pot of £5m for "victim-centred locally-led inquiries" to be held in Oldham and four other areas, yet to be named. In April, Phillips told the House of Commons she expected there would be further inquires beyond the initial five announced. She told MPs she would provide more details about the local inquiries once Baroness Casey's audit had been published. The Conservatives have continued to call for a nationwide inquiry with powers to compel people to give evidence, arguing that some local areas would be unwilling to hold their own reviews.Phillips said if Baroness Casey identified problems with particular local authorities, "I will pursue them".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
LGBT veterans will not lose other benefits after compensation
Veterans due to receive payments from the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme will not lose out on other benefits after a change to Scottish government has confirmed that 1,200 armed forces members who suffered under the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) personnel have now applied to the UK government's payment ban was in place within the UK military from 1967 to 2000 and, after years of campaigning, the UK government announced the payments last December. Up to £75m has been set aside to acknowledge hurt and discrimination, with affected veterans able to receive awards of up to £70,000 each. Some veterans currently receive financial help, on a means-tested basis, through the council tax reduction scheme. But Finance Secretary Shona Robison said regulations would be now changed to ensure any compensation payments do not affect eligibility for Robison said: "As we mark 25 years since the lifting of the ban on LGBT people serving in the armed forces, it is important to recognise the hardship that so many faced, with widespread homophobic bullying and harassment."Nothing will make up for the difficulties that LGBT veterans faced, however, our action will ensure those in Scotland receive every penny that they are entitled to."Under the UK government scheme, those who were dismissed or discharged from the armed forces because of their sexual orientation or gender identity could receive £50, service personnel who suffered harassment, intrusive investigations or even imprisonment could receive further payments of up to £20,000. Peter Gibson, chief executive of Fighting with Pride, said the group had "campaigned for justice for LGBTQ+ veterans for many years, helping to secure reparations and financial recognition of their horrendous treatment prior to 2000".He added: "As we slowly see the UK government deal with those financial payments, protected from benefit and taxation impact, it is wonderful to see the Scottish government taking action to ensure other benefits such as council tax benefit is also protected too."We continue to seek out veterans who were discharged or dismissed from the military to support them, and this news is one more step towards helping those in Scotland."
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Bristol man Jardel Edwards jailed after gun found in drawers
A man has been jailed after a gun and taser were found in his chest of drawers. Jardel Edwards, 22, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of being in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He also admitted being in possession of Class A drugs crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply, which plain-clothed police officers found in his pockets when he was stopped on 6 February in Webb Street, then searched his home in Cotton Mill Lane, Barton Hill, where they found the weapons in his bedroom, as well as further evidence of drugs supply. Edwards was sentenced to eight years in prison on Thursday - five years for the firearms offences and three years for the drugs Insp Tom Tooth of Avon and Somerset Police said: "Edwards' evasive behaviour when officers first spoke to him led them to believe he had something to hide."It is clear from the amount of drugs that Edwards' had in his possession that he had intended to sell them, bringing further harm to our communities through drug use and drug-related crime."
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Slough man appears in court charged with terror offences
A man charged with terrorism offences, as well as arson attacks on two leisure venues and a bomb hoax, has appeared in Akhtar, 20, is accused of arson attacks at Salt Hill Activity Centre in Slough, Berkshire, and Slough Ice Arena in May, police have appeared on Saturday at Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of one count of preparing terrorist acts and one count of possessing information that could be used for an Akhtar, of Cress Road in Slough, will next appear at the Old Bailey on June 20. During Saturday's hearing, he spoke only to confirm his personal details, with no indication of a plea or bail application made. The activity centre, which includes trampolining and bowling facilities, was allegedly attacked on 31 incident at Slough Ice Arena is said to have occurred on 14 May.A bomb hoax was directed at an Asda supermarket in Telford Drive on 9 May, Counter Terrorism Policing South East previously said. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
