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Lammy Review
30 June 2020
Lead MP
David Lammy
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Justice & CourtsParliamentary ProcedureStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 35
At a Glance
David Lammy raised concerns about lammy review 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:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Urgent Question to the Prime Minister regarding the implementation of the Lammy review. Emphasises that despite the Government's claims, many recommendations have not been fully implemented or rejected. Criticises misleading statements made by the Prime Minister and calls for a correction in record.
Alex Chalk
13:33:00
Defends Government's actions, highlighting that while not all recommendations can be implemented as per the review, significant progress has been made. Mentions implementation of data publication and setup of Race and Ethnicity Board. Acknowledges ongoing work on 17 recommendations.
David Lammy
Lab
Tottenham
Responds to Minister's claims, emphasising the importance of transparency and honesty in implementing review recommendations. Points out discrepancies between Government's reported progress and actual implementation status. Highlights worsening statistics on racial disparities within criminal justice.
Alex Chalk
13:33:00
Clarifies stance on specific recommendation implementations, stating that while not all recommendations are implemented as per the review's wording, intentions behind them have been addressed. Defends actions taken by Government in line with Lammy's report.
Bob Neill
13:33:00
Questions Minister about timeframe for achieving shared aims and objectives outlined in the February 2020 report, emphasising need for a cohesive action plan across criminal justice agencies.
Alex Chalk
Con
Cheltenham
Defended the Government's approach, stating that while they cannot follow every recommendation to the letter due to constraints, significant progress has been made in addressing underlying issues and improving data transparency. He also highlighted improvements in diversity within the criminal justice system.
Jeremy Wright
Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Highlighted the importance of implementing recommendations from the Lammy review, particularly those related to the Crown Prosecution Service, and emphasised that all parts of the criminal justice system should work together to promote diversity and transparency.
James Murray
Lab Co-op
Ealing North
Asked about the rise in stop-and-searches conducted on black, Asian, and minority ethnic people, questioning why it had risen from 25% five years ago to over 40% now.
James Daly
Con
Stockton North
Addressed the shortage of magistrates in Greater Manchester and other parts of the country, asking what steps are being taken to increase recruitment and ensure diversity within the judiciary as per recommendation 16 of the Lammy report.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Expressed concern over disproportionate stop-and-searches in her constituency, noting that black people are four times more likely to be stopped and searched compared with white people.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Inquired about steps taken by the Department of Justice to reduce reoffending among BAME children and young adults, emphasising the need for a holistic approach that includes addressing upstream issues.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Critiqued the Prime Minister's response to her question last week and asked why only 1% of full-time police officers in 2019 were black, despite the implementation of the Lammy review.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Questioned what measures are being taken to address disproportionate stop-and-searches and whether suspicionless stop-and-search should be ended due to its impact on BAME communities.
Emphasised the importance of data on ethnic disparities in policing, highlighted progress made in diversifying youth offender panels and prison services, committed to reviewing recommendations from various reports including the Lammy review and Angiolini report. Also stressed the need for cohesive communities in tackling gang violence and ensuring a modern and inclusive curriculum in schools.
Asked about progress in creating more diversity among prison officers, particularly in senior leadership teams.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Paid tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement and asked for implementation of all recommendations from the Angiolini report on deaths in police custody.
Praised community efforts, specifically a youth club set up by Tavis Spencer-Aitkens' family to prevent young people from falling into crime and gang violence.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Highlighted the need for intervention at school age to end structural racism identified by the Lammy review, praised a high school’s efforts in making their curriculum more representative of black communities.
Asked about embedding the principle of “explain or change” to inform Government priorities.
John Spellar
Lab
Criticised the Home Office's response to the Supreme Court judgment on the Disclosure and Barring Service, called for decisive action from the Ministry of Justice.
Asked about ensuring zero tolerance towards racism in schools.
Critiqued the Government’s implementation of the Lammy review, citing data on disproportionate use of lockdown fixed penalty notices against BAME communities.
Emphasised the importance of youth clubs in keeping children off the streets and out of the criminal justice system.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asked about building community confidence through increased numbers of community workers and police officers.
Suggested assigning a police officer to each year group in schools to build relationships with students throughout their school career.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Cited data showing increased stop and search rates for black people compared to white people over the past five years, questioned if racial profiling is a waste of resources and why there has been delay in addressing this.
Peter Bone
Con
Not specified
Questions the Government about future steps to improve the situation following the Lammy review.
Ruth Jones
Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Calls for full and comprehensive action on implementing the recommendations of various reviews, including the one by David Lammy MP. Asks about discussions with the Welsh Government regarding implementation.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Raises concern over family breakdown rates among black children and seeks assurance that the Government is committed to strengthening families, promoting marriage, and allocating more resources for reconciliation efforts.
Gill Furniss
Lab
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Highlights disproportionate stopping and searching of black and Asian individuals by police and expresses concern over the breakdown of trust in the criminal justice system. Urges full implementation of the Lammy review recommendations.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Asks for an update on progress made to ensure that the Probation Service reflects society, particularly in reducing reoffending rates among BAME communities.
Vicky Foxcroft
Lab Co-op
Lewisham North
Inquires about the Government's commitment to take seriously recommendations from the Youth Violence Commission and the Lammy review regarding youth violence prevention and systemic issues in criminal justice.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Points out over-representation of black people from Wales in prisons and the lack of women’s centres for BAME women's rehabilitation. Requests a clear road map for opening the first residential women’s centre in Wales.
Not specified
Inquires about the approach to embed the principle of “explain or change” to inform government priorities.
Jacob Young
Con
Not specified
Suggests that public institutions should reflect the communities they represent and acknowledges progress made in diversity but emphasises the need for continued efforts.
Lucy Powell
Lab Co-op
Manchester Central
Expresses concern over the direction of outcomes for black and ethnic minority young people in the criminal justice system, questioning if more needs to be done despite some positive developments in education.
Government Response
Defended the Government's approach, highlighting improvements in diversity within various parts of the criminal justice system, including an increase in BAME representation among magistrates and Parole Board members. Emphasised the importance of data transparency to ensure that stop-and-search practices are fair and not misused.
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Assessment & feedback
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