Scottish Government looks set to announce grooming gangs inquiry

Key Points

Scotland’s education secretary Jenny Gilruth is expected to make a ministerial statement on protecting children from harm on Wednesday afternoon
It comes after the Scottish Government faced pressure to call a public inquiry from victims and opposition parties
A national row over grooming gangs was ignited in January 2025 after tech billionaire Elon Musk launched a barrage of attacks on the Prime Minister
Sir Keir resisted calls for a national inquiry for months before finalling announcing one would go ahead in June

The Scottish Government looks set to announce an inquiry into the operation of grooming gangs in Scotland.

It comes after First Minister John Swinney faced pressure to call a public inquiry from victims and opposition parties.

A review to understand the scale of the abuse was announced in December involving several public bodies, including the care and schools watchdogs.

The review, which was to take place in stages over the course of more than 18 months, was set up to gather evidence to support Scottish ministers in deciding whether there should be a public inquiry.

Last week, Jenny Gilruth, education secretary, said the review would not take as long and reports would be ready by the summer of 2026.

The findings were set to be scrutinised by the national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group, which is chaired by Professor Alexis Jay.

But Gilruth is expected to make a ministerial statement on protecting children from harm at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

Last year, the UK Government announced an independent inquiry into grooming gangs in England and Wales.

A national row over grooming gangs was ignited in January 2025 after tech billionaire Elon Musk used his X social media platform to launch a barrage of attacks on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.

It followed the Government’s decision to decline a request from Oldham Council for a Whitehall-led inquiry into child sexual abuse in the town.

Sir Keir resisted calls for a national probe for months, with the Government insisting its focus was on putting in place the outstanding recommendations already made in a seven-year national inquiry by Professor Jay.

But in June 2025, Sir Keir confirmed a statutory inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal would be held.

Baroness Anne Longfield will lead the inquiry over three years with a budget of £65 million, the Home Secretary announced in December.