THE Conservative Party will attempt to push for a national inquiry into grooming gangs in Westminster today.
The Tories have joined calls by Twitter/X owner Elon Musk for a new UK-wide inquiry into child sexual abuse, despite a wide-ranging independent probe having concluded its work in 2022.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s attempt to garner parliamentary support for a new inquiry comes in the form of an amendment to the Government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is set to be debated in the House of Commons this afternoon.
Here’s all you need to know about the debate and amendment
When will the debate start and how can I watch?
The debate is set to take place after Prime Minister's questions today, which ends at 12:30pm. However, when the Tory amendment is discussed depends on whether there are any statements or urgent questions today.
Regardless, it will all be available to view through Parliament TV.
You can find a link to the Parliament player HERE.
What did Starmer say today?
The Prime Minister said that Kemi Badenoch’s attempt to garner parliamentary support for a new inquiry, in the form of an amendment to a Bill aimed at bolstering the safety of children, was a “shocking tactic”.
He added: “I would implore any right-thinking Tory MP to vote for the bill because this would kill the bill, this would kill the legislation.”
The amendment is unlikely to be supported by a majority in the Commons, as the Government wants to roll out the recommendations of the investigation led by Professor Alexis Jay rather than open a new inquiry.
The non-binding amendment also calls for the Commons to halt the progress of the bill, which includes measures aimed at bolstering safeguarding for children.
The bill includes measures that will see parents no longer have an automatic right to take their children out of school for home education if the young person is subject to a child protection investigation or suspected of being at risk of significant harm.
