The Home Secretary confirmed plans to hold five local "Telford-style" inquiries in towns hit by child rape gangs. But critics are furious and want a national probe.

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

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans for a nationwide review of grooming gang evidence and five government-backed local inquiries. She stopped short of launching a statutory national inquiry, as called for by the Conservatives and some Labour MPs, but this marks a clear shift in the government's position.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed more about the scale of the grooming gangs scandal - but rejected calls for a new national inquiry.

The Home Secretary is reportedly set to announce a series of inquiries into British grooming gangs after weeks of growing pressure over the scandal. Yvette Cooper is expected to make the announcement in a statement in the Commons on Thursday afternoon.

The Home Secretary has announced plans for government-backed local grooming gangs inquiries. Five new inquiries will be set up, including one in Oldham, looking into child sexual exploitation as part of a pilot, all of which will be funded and assisted by central government.

A Conservative councillor in Oldham has strongly criticised Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's announcement on grooming gang inquiries, describing it as a "whitewash". Speaking on GB News, Cllr Lewis Quigg said the Home Secretary had missed a crucial opportunity to address the issue effectively.