The UK government will launch a statutory inquiry into group-based child sexual abuse across England and Wales, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Saturday, June 14th, during the G7 summit in Canada.
The formal investigation, to be conducted under the Inquiries Act, will have the authority to summon witnesses and require them to provide evidence. It will specifically examine the operations of grooming gangs following renewed scrutiny over institutional responses to abuse cases.
The move comes after Baroness Louise Casey reversed her initial stance and recommended a national inquiry, citing new findings. Starmer, who said he reviewed Casey’s full report, accepted her recommendation. Previous governments had rejected calls for such an inquiry, referring to the work of the earlier Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), led by Professor Alexis Jay.
This new effort will include localized investigations, even in areas where councils are opposed to them. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to present Casey’s report and deliver a statement in Parliament outlining the government’s next steps.
Criticism over delays had mounted in recent months, with officials noting that Casey had requested more time to complete her audit. The issue gained additional visibility after Elon Musk used his platform, X, to accuse Starmer of past inaction during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions. Musk’s comments focused on the ethnicity of offenders in certain high-profile cases — a narrative the National Police Chiefs’ Council has challenged, stating most group offenders are white men.
Starmer insisted the inquiry would prioritize victims and seek to expose systemic and cultural failings. Officials say the investigation will complement existing child protection frameworks and strengthen safeguards for at-risk youth.
