Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the scope of the inquiry into child sexual exploitation and abuse will permit the inquiry to consider the historic background and factors behind child sexual exploitation and abuse in the United Kingdom.

The Government is driving forward work to establish the National Inquiry into Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse under the Inquiries Act 2005. It will be overseen by an Independent Commission with statutory powers to compel evidence and testimony so that institutions can be held to account for current and historic failures. The inquiry will be independent of government and designed to command the confidence of victims and survivors and the wider public.

In line with the Inquiries Act, the appointed Chair will play a central role in shaping the Commission’s Terms of Reference. These will be published by the Chair once in post and subject to consultation with stakeholders, including victims and survivors.