UK MPs voted 364-111 against a grooming-gangs inquiry the government later launched
On 8 January 2025 the UK House of Commons voted 364-111 against a Conservative amendment that would have required a new government-led national inquiry into 'grooming gangs' child sexual exploitation, attached to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips described it as a 'wrecking amendment' threatening the child-protection bill and said local councils (e.g. Oldham) should decide on local inquiries. The government later accepted the June 2025 Casey Review's recommendation for a full statutory national inquiry, which was launched with terms of reference published in December 2025.
Reports the 364-111 vote and Starmer's 'wrecking amendment' rationale.
Confirms vote count and Starmer's stated procedural reasoning; broadcast/national outlet with standards desk.
Reports the later June 2025 reversal and announcement of a full national statutory inquiry, context the post omits.
Official parliamentary record of the vote and subsequent inquiry process -- primary document.
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
A national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs was set up after the vote described in this story: on 9 December 2025 the Home Secretary named Baroness Anne Longfield as chair, with a three-year term and GBP 65m budget. Source ↗