Baroness Spielman

The Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs is a fully independent statutory inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005. It is for the independent Chair to determine how it takes evidence. It has full legal powers to compel evidence and protect witnesses, ensuring those who come forward can do so in a safe and appropriate way.

On 9 March 2026, this Government took the historic step of adopting a clear, non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility that protects individuals while safeguarding freedom of speech. The definition does not restrict criticism, debate or even ridicule of religious ideas – including Islam – as long as it is lawful. It also makes clear that people should always feel confident to raise concerns in the public interest.

By clearly distinguishing between lawful expression and hostility directed at individuals, the definition helps create space for open discussion of sensitive but legitimate issues.

In light of the Baroness Spielman’s further Parliamentary question, the department has reviewed the response and is now able to offer further detail, subject to the constraints of commercial confidentiality during the live procurement process.

The Home Office has conducted comprehensive market engagement to assess the risks and opportunities of remote English language testing, recognising that all delivery models whether paper-based, in-person, or remote carry fraud risks. The new service shall be subject to a rigorous implementation regime of operational, security and technical testing for up 15 months. Once live, the new service shall include robust safeguards including two-stage identity verification, active session monitoring, tamperproof systems, comprehensive audit regimes, mystery shopping, and annual independent audits. Fraud will be monitored through these mechanisms as part of the overall provisions of the Government Model Services Contract that has been tailored and enhanced for these services.

The current service has been in place in the current form for some years and has not been significantly innovated in terms of developing technology in this space. We know, from our market engagement, that there is opportunity to deliver improvements in this service as well as taking all that is good about current delivery and service. This procurement takes all the elements of current delivery and process and innovation based on new and emerging technology. Every incidence of fraud will be treated swiftly with the upmost seriousness and an appropriate level of consequence for all those involved.