Meeting of the Parliament 26 November 2025
I want to make some progress, because I think that I will answer the member’s question. The answer on 19 November clarified the position regarding Professor Jay’s valued membership of the group, alongside other expert partners, in our continued collective efforts to tackle this horrendous form of child abuse.
An oral portfolio question was answered on Wednesday 12 November, which covered the steps that are being taken to prevent group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation in Scotland. It covered the prevention-focused approach of the strategic group to collectively improve how harms are identified, reported and responded to by statutory agencies and other partners.
The strategic group met on 25 November. The minutes are being finalised and actions ratified. Based on the advice that will flow from the strategic group to ministers for consideration, we will be able to establish the most effective next steps.
The most effective way to inform Parliament about the work of the strategic group and the response to on-going calls for an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland will be through a comprehensive statement to the Parliament, which will be undertaken as soon as possible, and before recess. For the benefit of members, I say that that is an undertaking that I gave two weeks ago through the usual bureau process, in which the Conservatives participate. Therefore, I am a little surprised that the Tories are calling for something that they have been told is coming.