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Angiolini Inquiry 2025-12-02
02 December 2025
Lead MP
Jess Phillips
West Bromwich East
Lab
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Policing & ResourcesEmployment
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Jess Phillips raised concerns about angiolini inquiry 2025-12-02 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Response
Emphasised the Angiolini inquiry's importance in addressing violence against women and girls. Announced ongoing work on the VAWG strategy to reduce such crimes over a decade, highlighting cross-Government involvement. Discussed funding of £13.1 million for improving investigative standards through the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection. The Government is committed to reducing violence against women and girls, with a goal to halve such incidents within a decade. The Minister acknowledges the need for cultural change in policing, standardisation across police forces, and fundamental reforms. She reassures that although there may not be an immediate date for strategy publication due to complexity, it will address many of the issues raised. Phillips emphasises the importance of practical implementation and stakeholder engagement, referencing meetings with stakeholders to discuss implementation. She also addresses vetting processes and psychological testing prior to police recruitment as highlighted by the Angiolini inquiry. Emphasised the need to stop violence against women before it occurs rather than just providing support after incidents. She stated that there will be measures included in the upcoming strategy, although she did not want to give too many details at this point.
Jess Phillips
Lab
West Bromwich East
Acknowledged the abhorrent crime that led to the Angiolini inquiry, highlighting Sarah Everard's murder by a serving police officer. Emphasised the importance of the inquiry in restoring public trust and addressing broader issues related to policing and women's safety. Presented part 2 of the Angiolini inquiry report focusing on preventing sexually motivated crimes against women in public spaces, calling for consistent societal efforts. Announced funding of £13.1 million to improve investigative standards through the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton West
Acknowledged Sarah Everard's murder, emphasising its profound impact on women's safety and trust in policing. Critiqued the lack of comprehensive data recording for addressing violence against women and girls. Highlighted previous Government initiatives like Operation Soteria and advocated for swift implementation of vetting changes to restore public confidence. Asked about the timing and terms of reference for the grooming gangs inquiry, emphasising the need for justice.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
The public's trust in police must improve to encourage victims to come forward. Currently, a quarter of police forces lack basic policies for investigating sexual offences, according to the Angiolini inquiry. The Minister was asked about the impact of increased reporting on measuring violence reduction and progress on vetting officers who pose threats.
Cheltenham
The report highlights shocking findings, such as the lack of basic data on sexually motivated crimes against women and the fact that over a quarter of forces still lack fundamental policies for investigating sexual offences. The Liberal Democrat spokesperson calls for radical action to prevent another Wayne Couzens incident.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab/Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
The report criticises the failure to ban sexual offenders from police roles, a troubling lack of momentum, funding, and ambition for prevention work. The Minister was questioned about tackling online abuse in addition to physical space.
Saqib Bhatti
Con
Meriden and Solihull East
The Government's ability to secure adequate funding for the initiative was questioned, with the Minister acknowledging that more funds would always be desired but that fundamental cultural changes are necessary beyond just financial resources.
Stella Creasy
Lab/Co-op
Walthamstow
Local concerns about sexual harassment and offences in Walthamstow highlight the need for transparency. FOI requests have been refused by local police, underscoring the challenges in addressing street safety and violence against women.
Jess Phillips
Lab
Birmingham Yardley
Phillips emphasises the importance of practical implementation over statutory changes, referencing specific projects and initiatives such as Thames Valley police’s Project Vigilant. She acknowledges the need for cultural change in policing beyond legislative measures.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Dyke highlights the inadequacy of rural policing responses to domestic violence, citing a 2019 study. She questions how the refreshed violence against women and girls strategy will improve outcomes for victims in rural areas.
Pam Cox
Lab
Colchester
Cox welcomes the work of the Angiolini inquiry and asks about implementation and engagement following the publication of the Government’s strategy to halve violence against women and girls over a decade. She mentions cross-party collaboration on this issue.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Lewis queries whether the Angiolini inquiry will examine the impact of online extreme pornography and toxic masculinity influencers, and whether such materials could be used in recruitment vetting processes.
Jen Craft
Lab
Thurrock
Craft expresses her loss of trust in the police due to mishandling of vigils for Sarah Everard. She raises concerns about how complaints from women, especially regarding coercive control, are often dismissed by the police.
Tristan Osborne
Lab
Chatham and Aylesford
Osborne joins in expressing condolences to Sarah Everard's family and questions whether the Minister is working with the policing minister to ensure consistency across all forces regarding data metrics and responses to cases of violence against women.
Paul Waugh
Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
Waugh praises the work of his local multi-agency Sunrise Team in Rochdale, highlighting its effectiveness in complex safeguarding. He asks about funding commitments and assurances regarding underfunding issues highlighted by Lady Elish’s report.
Jess Phillips
Lab
Emphasised the urgency of taking action on issues related to violence against women and girls without waiting for reports. She mentioned the establishment of a new National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection, highlighting the need for police forces to prioritise this issue.
Sam Carling
Lab
North West Cambridgeshire
Asked the Minister about measures to address young women as victims of these crimes and inquired if the upcoming strategy will include steps to combat misogyny among young men.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Inquired whether predatory behaviour should be expanded to include leering, staring, and catcalling. He also suggested that better education of boys and men from an early age is crucial for combating violence against women.
Shadow Response
Matt Vickers
Shadow Response
Recognised previous Government efforts like Operation Soteria, emphasising the need for consistent implementation and swift legislative changes. Questioned about data recording improvements and the timing of the grooming gangs inquiry.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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