The Labour Government is under increasing pressure to launch a national inquiry into the sexual abuse of women and children in the UK.

Starmer to address nation as Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleads guilty to murder - Rudakubana also pleaded guilty to 10 counts of attempted murder following deadly attack last summer

Public inquiries are major investigations that have special powers to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath and to compel the production of documents. A statutory public inquiry is usually set up and funded by the government but is conducted as an independent body to investigate matters of public concern.

Keir Starmer said there are questions to answer on how the young victims of the Southport stabbings were 'failed' by the state as he welcomed the conviction of the 'vile and sick killer' Axel Rudakuba

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a public inquiry after Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty to the murders of three young girls in Southport. It comes after Sir Keir Starmer said there are “grave questions” to answer about how the state failed the Southport murder victims.

Keir Starmer is set to speak at 8.30am, following an announcement a public inquiry is to be held into the murders of three girls at a Taylor Swift -themed dance class in Southport by 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana “that can get to the truth about what happened and what needs to change”.

Home Secretary vows to ‘always take action against crime’ when quizzed over corruption allegations surrounding Treasury minister

It’s understood that the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will announce a plan to implement local inquiries into grooming gangs in a statement to the Commons later.

EXCLUSIVE - Liz Truss has suggested Keir Starmer is refusing a fully funded independent inquiry into grooming gangs because of Labour politicians' own roles.

The home secretary has announced the professionals who work with children will face criminal sanctions if they do not report child sexual abuse. Yvette Cooper told MPs that a “significant package of measures” will be announced by the government in the next few weeks aimed at tackling online child sexual exploitation.

The government has been facing pressure to launch a new national inquiry into grooming gangs but ministers have said one was already carried out.

Conservative MP Robbie Moore has launched a scathing attack on Labour's approach to grooming gang investigations, urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to "change course urgently" on the issue. The Keighley & Ilkley MP dismissed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's recently announced measures as just "smoke and mirrors".