Education, Children and Young People Committee 17 December 2025
First, in relation to victims—again, I will say more about this later in my statement to Parliament—we all need to be mindful that, when we talk about these subjects in the chamber, in the committee or in the media, it is traumatising to victims, so we need to be mindful of our language. I will put that on the record again today. I am sure that, like me, members have been inundated with emails from the public—perhaps victims—in relation to their experiences. I am therefore very mindful of treating the issue with the sensitivity that it deserves.
On who will be leading the work, as I announced to Parliament two weeks ago today, the four inspectorates have a role to play, and they will carry out their work. I will say more about that in my statement to Parliament. Alexis Jay is chairing the national strategic group, which is hugely important in that regard.
What Alexis Jay said to the committee this morning and what she said to me when I met her recently is that we do not yet have the evidence base to arrive at a decision as to whether further inquiries are needed. When we have that evidence base, the Government will need to take a decision, and it may be that a figurehead is appointed. I think that you asked Alexis Jay whether that would be something that she would lead on. I do not want to prejudge the outcome of the evidence gathering that is necessary to establish whether further inquiries are necessary.
In relation to victims, I thought that it was quite helpful that, last Monday, the Scottish child abuse inquiry made it very clear that, should it be within the terms of reference of its inquiry, people who have been victims of grooming can come forward and should contact the inquiry in relation to historical cases, which that inquiry is looking at additionally.
I want to say a bit more on engagement with victims, and I will set some of this out in my statement. I heard some of the commentary that Alexis Jay provided in relation to the truth project work that was led down south. Last week, along with the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, I spoke to Tam Baillie about some of that work and listened to some of that expertise. We would want to be able to set out a fuller update to Parliament in that space.
I will say more on that today, but I am mindful of the important points that the convener makes about victims, who will be watching very closely and who have been let down by systems. It is hugely important that what we put in place has their faith and their trust, and that we can deliver on their expectations in that regard. I will always be resolutely focused on that as cabinet secretary.
I would encourage committee members, if they have contact from victims, to please share information if they are able to. We, as ministers, have made it very clear in our engagement with the strategic group that we want to engage directly. This is a priority for the Government, not just for me as cabinet secretary.