The former chief executive of riot-hit Ealing LBC, Darra Singh, has been appointed to head the official inquiry into last month’s disturbances across England.

Mr Singh, current chief of Jobcentre Plus, will lead a seven-month inquiry into the rioting and looting that quickly spread from London to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and other major cities.

Mr Singh will deliver his initial findings in November

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has said that local government will play a key role in rebuilding communities after the riots, and in tackling some of the possible underlying causes of the disturbances – which commentators have variously blamed on rising unemployment rates, poor housing conditions, economic deprivation and un-tackled anti-social behaviour among youngsters.

The inquiry panel will hear from local residents, parents, businessmen and youngsters as it seeks greater insight into the events – and will consider what motivated local residents to help with the clean-up.

Mr Singh will deliver his initial findings in November and will report in full to prime minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband in March 2012.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said: ‘This will be a grassroots review –we want to know what happened at street level, not from afar.

'Having worked with young people, and on housing and violence issues in a range of cities around the country, including London, Darra will be able to lead the panel and delve into this gloomy chapter of Britain’s history.’

Mr Singh will be joined on the inquiry panel by Heather Rabbatts, former chief of Merton and Lambeth LBCs – areas affected by the disturbances. Other panel members include Simon Marcus, who runs a boxing charity in Tottenham, where the riots began on 6 August. Maeve Sherlock, a life peer and former head of One Parent Families, completes the team.