Grooming Gangs Inquiry: Timeline

Key dates in the inquiry's progress, assembled from its recorded milestones and hearing phases.

Hearing-phase dates are taken from the published hearing days; some earlier milestone dates are approximate where the inquiry has not published an exact date.

Milestones & hearing phases

Milestone Hearing phase Reports & costs Still to come
9 Dec 2025
Chair appointed
Baroness Anne Longfield CBE was appointed to chair the Inquiry, with panellists Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE.
31 Mar 2026
Terms of Reference published
The Inquiry published its Terms of Reference; the Chair gave an opening statement setting out its scope.
13 Apr 2026
Inquiry formally begins its work
The Inquiry was formally established under section 5 of the Inquiries Act 2005, for a planned three years within a budget of £65m.
24 Jun 2026
First local investigations announced
The Inquiry announced its first local investigation areas: Oldham, Bradford and Keighley, and London.
31 Dec 2026
National accountability hearings expected
The Inquiry has said it expects to hold national accountability hearings between the end of 2026 and early 2027.
To be confirmed
Final report (to be confirmed)
The inquiry has not yet reported.