Andy Burnham (Image: Getty)

Labour’s response to tackling Asian grooming gangs has not “been good enough”, the leader of a major report into the scandal has warned. Louise Casey published a damning audit of the authorities’ failure to deal with grooming gangs last year, saying that the findings of previous reports had been ignored.

Ministers accepted all 20 of her recommendations at the time. But 18 months on, she said progress on implementing her findings “has not been what I would like it to be”. She said ministers had still not acted on calls to collect vital data on the ethnicity of offenders.

Ms Casey said her patience on the issue had “worn very, very thin” after discovering how little progress had been made since she first reported on grooming gang activity in Rotherham in 2015.

She told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme: “I would like more momentum on the changes needed, both in the police and the Home Office on the way we collect data.

“We are still not prepared to collect data in terms of religion and ethnicity – all the things that get us into hot water where we do not have the right evidence to analyse what is going on in terms of abuse of children and grooming gangs and how they operate.

“I’m impatient for change and I don’t think the momentum has been good enough.”

Downing Street refused to say whether it would legislate for the report’s recommendation to make having sex with a child aged 13, 14 or 15 a statutory rape offence, as it is for younger children.

Baroness Lousie Casey (Image: Getty)

Baroness Casey’s report criticised an “appalling lack of data on ethnicity”, saying the issue had been ‘dodged for years’ in an apparent effort to avoid highlighting the predominance of cases involving gangs of Asian men.

Andy Burnham’s official spokesman said police forces had been asked to review all previous grooming gang cases to see if previously closed ones could be reopened.

The spokesman said forces would be required to collect ethnicity data but could not say when this would happen.

But shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “Baroness Casey is right. Ten years after Rotherham, the girls who were raped and abused by these gangs are still being let down.

“Labour voted against a national inquiry and only gave in when they were forced to. Labour are still too scared to collect the data on ethnicity and religion that Baroness Casey says we need to understand what happened.”

Police whistle-blower Maggie Oliver said Baroness Casey was “absolutely right”.

Andy Burnham’s Ministers in Fresh Asian Grooming Gangs Slapdown

An Essay on Child Sexual Exploitation, Government Accountability and the Need for Justice

The issue of child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs has become one of the most controversial social and political issues in the United Kingdom. Recently, Andy Burnham’s government has faced renewed criticism over its response to the problem of grooming gangs, particularly following concerns raised by Baroness Louise Casey. Her criticism has highlighted the slow progress made by the authorities in implementing important recommendations designed to protect children and bring offenders to justice. The controversy has once again raised serious questions about government responsibility, police failures, racial and cultural sensitivities, and the protection of vulnerable young people.

Child grooming is a form of abuse in which offenders build relationships with children, often by gaining their trust through attention, gifts, promises or emotional manipulation. The ultimate purpose is to exploit them sexually. In many cases, victims are threatened, controlled and manipulated until they feel unable to escape. The consequences can be devastating, affecting their physical health, psychological well-being, education and ability to establish healthy relationships later in life.

The grooming gang scandals in several British towns, including Rotherham, Rochdale and other communities, have exposed serious failures by institutions that were supposed to protect children. Some victims were ignored when they attempted to report abuse, while warning signs were not properly investigated. These failures have damaged public confidence in the police, local authorities and the wider political system.

1. Baroness Louise Casey’s Criticism of the Government

One of the most important developments in this controversy is the criticism made by Baroness Louise Casey, who previously conducted a major review into grooming gangs and the failures of public institutions. Her investigation identified serious weaknesses in the way authorities handled child sexual exploitation cases.

According to the report published in 2025, previous investigations had repeatedly identified problems, but many recommendations had not been properly implemented. Casey accepted that tackling grooming gangs required significant improvements in policing, information collection and cooperation between government departments.

However, approximately 18 months after ministers accepted all 20 of her recommendations, she expressed disappointment with the lack of progress. She argued that the government’s response had not been sufficiently effective and that important changes were taking too long.

One of her greatest concerns was the failure to collect reliable information about the ethnicity and religion of offenders. Without accurate information, it becomes difficult for researchers, investigators and policymakers to understand the patterns of offending and identify possible institutional failures.

Casey also warned that her patience had almost run out. She wanted greater momentum from both the police and the Home Office, particularly regarding the collection of information that could help authorities understand how grooming gangs operate.

Her criticism is significant because she is not simply expressing a political opinion. She is highlighting problems identified through investigations and evidence from victims. Her message is clear: accepting recommendations is not enough; the government must demonstrate that it is actually implementing them.

2. Andy Burnham’s Government Under Pressure

The controversy has created considerable political pressure for Andy Burnham and his administration. According to the report published by the Daily Express on 11 November 2026, Burnham’s official spokesman stated that police forces had been asked to review previous grooming gang cases to determine whether some investigations that had been closed could be reopened.

This proposal could be an important step towards achieving justice for victims who believe that their experiences were ignored. Reviewing historical cases may reveal evidence that was previously overlooked or identify opportunities for further investigation.

The spokesman also indicated that police forces would be required to collect information about offenders’ ethnicity. However, he could not provide a clear timetable for when this requirement would be introduced.

This uncertainty has attracted criticism from political opponents. They argue that the government must move beyond general promises and establish clear deadlines, practical policies and measurable results.

The central question is whether political leaders are prepared to take responsibility for mistakes made by public institutions. Governments cannot simply blame previous administrations or individual police officers. They have a responsibility to ensure that existing systems are improved and that similar failures do not happen again.

Nevertheless, it is important to distinguish between political criticism and proven responsibility. Any assessment of Burnham’s government should consider the actions it has actually taken, rather than assuming that every historical failure can be attributed to its current leadership.

3. The Importance of Ethnicity Data and Cultural Sensitivity

One of the most sensitive aspects of the grooming gang scandal concerns the ethnicity and cultural backgrounds of some offenders.

Baroness Casey criticised the lack of reliable information about ethnicity, arguing that this issue had been avoided for years. This has created difficulties for investigators who need accurate evidence to understand offending patterns.

Collecting such information is important because public policy should be based on evidence rather than political assumptions. If particular patterns are identified in certain cases, authorities must be able to investigate them honestly and objectively.

However, discussing ethnicity must be approached carefully. The criminal actions of individuals must never be used to condemn an entire ethnic, religious or cultural community. Most Asian people in Britain have no connection whatsoever to grooming gangs, and many strongly condemn sexual exploitation.

The correct approach is to identify offenders, investigate their behaviour and hold them individually accountable. At the same time, authorities should not avoid investigating relevant cultural or social factors simply because the subject is politically uncomfortable.

There must be a balance between protecting minority communities from discrimination and ensuring that serious crimes are investigated without fear or favour.

Equality should never mean ignoring uncomfortable evidence. Equally, transparency should never become an excuse for racism or collective blame.

4. The Failures of the Police and Other Authorities

Another major issue highlighted by the scandal is the failure of institutions responsible for protecting children.

In some historical cases, victims were treated as unreliable witnesses or difficult teenagers instead of vulnerable children who needed protection. Their complaints were sometimes dismissed, and opportunities to prevent further abuse were missed.

These failures raise serious questions about police training, professional responsibility and the attitudes of public officials.

Police officers must be properly trained to recognise the signs of grooming and understand the methods used by organised groups of offenders. They must also take reports seriously, regardless of the victim’s background, social circumstances or personal behaviour.

Local councils, schools, social services and healthcare organisations also have important responsibilities. Child protection cannot depend on one institution alone. Effective cooperation is essential because information held by different organisations may reveal patterns of abuse that would otherwise remain hidden.

Furthermore, officers and public officials who deliberately ignore credible evidence or fail to perform their duties should face appropriate investigations and disciplinary consequences.

Restoring public confidence requires more than statements of regret. It requires transparency, accountability and meaningful institutional reform.

5. Justice and Support for the Victims

While political arguments often dominate discussions about grooming gangs, the experiences of victims must remain the most important consideration.

Many survivors have suffered serious psychological trauma. Some have experienced anxiety, depression, difficulties with relationships and a lasting loss of trust in authorities.

For these individuals, justice is not simply about sending offenders to prison. It is also about being believed, receiving recognition and having access to appropriate support.

The government should provide long-term psychological services, specialist counselling and practical assistance for survivors. Victims should not have to repeatedly explain traumatic experiences to different institutions because public services cannot communicate effectively.

Furthermore, historical investigations should be conducted sensitively. Reopening cases may provide opportunities for justice, but authorities must ensure that survivors are not exposed to unnecessary distress.

The needs of victims should guide every stage of the process.

6. Political Accountability and the Future

The latest criticism creates a significant challenge for Andy Burnham’s government. It demonstrates that public acceptance of the problem is not enough to satisfy victims or the wider population.

The opposition, including Conservative politicians, has argued that Labour has not acted quickly enough and has been reluctant to collect important information. Political criticism is understandable, although the issue should not become merely another opportunity for parties to attack one another.

Child sexual exploitation is too serious to be reduced to an argument about political popularity.

The government should establish clear implementation deadlines for the Casey recommendations, improve the collection of reliable data, strengthen cooperation between police forces and ensure that historical cases receive appropriate attention.

There should also be independent monitoring to assess whether these policies are producing real improvements.

Most importantly, the government must communicate honestly with the public. If progress is slow, ministers should explain why. If mistakes have been made, they should acknowledge them and take corrective action.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the renewed criticism of Andy Burnham’s government over Asian grooming gangs highlights a much wider problem concerning justice, child protection and institutional accountability in Britain.

Baroness Louise Casey’s warnings demonstrate that important recommendations cannot simply remain written documents. They must be translated into practical measures that protect children and prevent further abuse.

Collecting accurate information about offenders, reviewing historical investigations and improving police performance are essential steps. However, these measures must be implemented fairly, without racial discrimination or attempts to protect individuals from legitimate scrutiny.

Ultimately, the most important responsibility of any government is to protect its citizens, especially children who are unable to defend themselves. Political leaders must demonstrate courage, honesty and determination when confronting difficult issues.

The victims of grooming gangs deserve justice, dignity and long-term support. They should never again be ignored because their experiences are politically inconvenient or institutionally uncomfortable.

The real measure of Andy Burnham’s government will not be the promises made by its ministers or spokespeople, but the results achieved. Only through genuine reform, transparency and accountability can public trust be restored and vulnerable children be given the protection they deserve.