The Culture Secretary disagrees with Burnham’s push for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs, but leaves future options open
Greater Manchester: So, there’s been some back and forth about a new inquiry into grooming gangs. A Cabinet minister, Lisa Nandy, has turned down Andy Burnham’s call for it. But she did say they might consider it later if needed.
Burnham, the mayor, wants a fresh look into historical child sexual abuse cases, especially in places like Oldham and Rochdale. Nandy, though, thinks the government should focus on the recommendations from a previous inquiry that hasn’t been acted on yet.
During a chat on ITV, Nandy acknowledged Burnham’s points but stood firm on her stance. She mentioned that the earlier inquiry had its issues, like some police officers not participating. It’s a bit of a mess, really.
Burnham believes a limited national inquiry could help address some gaps that local investigations missed. He’s been vocal about needing accountability and drawing on past reviews from places like Rotherham and Telford.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that starting another inquiry could slow down necessary actions against child sexual abuse. The government is trying to implement recommendations from the last inquiry, but it seems like there’s a lot of talk and not enough action.
Nandy has heard from survivors who are losing faith in the system. She emphasized that victims shouldn’t have to relive their trauma without seeing real changes. The government is saying they’re ready to act, but many are skeptical.
In the end, while the door isn’t completely shut on a new inquiry, it looks like the focus is on getting things done with what’s already been recommended. It’s a tough situation, and many are hoping for real progress soon.
