The Scottish government is expected to announce a national review of the evidence on the operation of grooming gangs in Scotland.
The review is to be carried out by an independent expert and will inform a future decision on whether or not there should be a judge-led public inquiry.
Labour have called a debate on the subject at Holyrood later and are likely to welcome this development.
However, the Conservatives want to move straight to a full public inquiry. Ministers have previously said they think more evidence is required.