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BACKBENCH BUSINESS
07 July 2016
Lead MP
Maria Miller
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementEconomyLocal Government
Other Contributors: 68
At a Glance
Maria Miller raised concerns about backbench business 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
The internet needs to be a force for good, not ill. With more than three quarters of constituents using the internet daily and half of all crimes having digital components, there is an urgent need for clear legislation addressing online abuse, including hate crime and image-based sexual abuse. Current laws are inadequate and police training insufficient, leading to under-reporting and ineffective prosecution.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commends Maria Miller for bringing the issue of online abuse to the House. Highlights tragic cases where cyberbullying has led to suicide, advocating for stricter legislation to criminalize trolls.
Anna Turley
Lab Co-op
Redcar
Agrees with under-reporting being a major issue and calls for improved police training and legal adequacy to tackle the problem effectively.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Welcomes Maria Miller's work on Reclaim the Internet campaign. Supports stronger responsibility from social media platforms like Facebook in tackling online abuse and discrimination.
Nigel Dodds
DUP
Belfast North
Highlights the irresponsibility of some parents giving digital devices to young children without proper supervision or education on responsible use. Calls for more parental education on device management.
Maria Miller
Con
Basingstoke
We need laws fit for purpose, clearer harassment laws, an image-based sexual abuse law, the end of complete anonymity, clear standards for reporting mechanisms, a levy on platforms if they fail to take sensible measures to reduce online abuse, and a change in culture. Schools should have compulsory sex and relationship education that includes digital safety.
City of Durham
Online abuse is happening consistently across all social media platforms and more needs to be done to stop it. Women are major victims of revenge porn, where explicit photos or videos are shared without consent. The anonymity of social media enables people to say things online that they would not say face to face.
Natascha Engel
Lab
North East Derbyshire
Ordering Members to take about eight minutes and no longer, to ensure everyone gets in without imposing a time limit.
The right hon. Gentleman makes a very interesting point, and we in this House need to look at it in more detail. This issue affects younger women, and particularly young women who are still at school. One way in which online abuse was first brought to my attention was by head teachers in my constituency who came to see me to tell me how much of a problem online abuse is in school. They asked me to raise the issue in Parliament to see what could be done to help head teachers and others in schools to tackle it. I am also a member of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, a branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and we have looked in great detail at the issue of violence against women, particularly online abuse as a form of violence against women. This is becoming such a significant element of the experience of women in public life that we made it one of the key themes of our international conference in 2015. The conference identified online abuse as a global phenomenon, and we now want to work with partners in other countries to get the best legislation possible. I welcome the Government’s moves in this area but we need to make sure that our laws reflect our increasingly technological society.
Simon Hart
Con
I thank the Backbench Business Committee and my right hon. Friend for giving us the opportunity to talk about online abuse, which is a huge issue affecting vast numbers of people, young and old, across the UK. According to Victim Support, 56% of children are victims of online crime, 41% report persistent bullying online from peers, and a third report being sent non-requested online pornography. This problem does not just impact young people; it affects individuals based on racism, gender issues, homophobia, anti-Semitism, disability, and other forms of prejudice. There is a significant increase in prosecutions under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 from 143 in 2004 to 1,209 in 2014. The Government's position on not criminalising young people does not take into account other target groups and needs addressing. Social media platforms need to be more responsible, and the CPS needs further enforcement of existing laws.
Glasgow Central
She discusses her personal experience with online abuse, including racist emails and threatening phone calls. She emphasises the importance of reporting such abuse to the police and highlights support mechanisms provided by organisations like Respectme in Scotland. The MP also stresses the need for strong leadership from public figures and the role of social media platforms in addressing cyberbullying.
Helen Grant
Con
Maidstone and Malling
She agrees with the hon. Member's points about providing support to victims and bringing perpetrators to justice, reinforcing the need for comprehensive assistance for those affected by online abuse.
Rebecca Harris
Con
Castle Point
The MP shares her own experiences of cyberbullying and highlights improvements in police responses but stresses that current legislation is inadequate. She calls for the future-proofing of the Digital Economy Bill to address online abuse effectively. Rebecca also addresses cultural issues, urging individuals to take personal responsibility for changing attitudes towards online behaviour.
Gill Furniss
Lab
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
The internet's pervasive nature means that bullying, trolling, and abuse have a significant societal impact. Statistics show high rates of online bullying among young people, with long-term psychological effects. Addressing the problem requires legislative action to define online abuse clearly and consolidate existing laws. Platforms must be transparent about their measures against abusive content.
Melanie Onn
Lab
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
The debate highlights the need for the Government to consider the financial costs of online bullying, trolling, and abuse. Increased referrals to mental health services indicate a societal impact that extends beyond emotional distress.
A personal case of revenge porn from Caroline's constituency highlights the need for better training in police forces to handle digital crime more effectively. Victim support and recognition by law enforcement are crucial, as current responses often fall short of expectations. There is a call for cultural change within institutions to recognise online abuse as serious and damaging.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Thanked the right hon. Member for Basingstoke and the hon. Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire for securing the debate, highlighting a frightening increase in online abuse, digital crime, and hate crime. She introduced a ten-minute rule Bill to consolidate over 30 statutes covering online abuse crimes, proposing offences such as unauthorized webcam installation, repeated location of individuals without legitimate purpose, restrictions on spyware sales, and posting abusive content or discriminatory messages with penalties up to 12 months' custody. Additionally, the Bill would require schools to educate children about online risks and police to be trained in handling digital hate crimes.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Expressed gratitude for the debate, noting that many of her constituents come seeking redress or safety regarding cyberbullying. Emphasised that abuse online is no less awful than offline, stressing the need to bring an end to anonymity in cyberspace. Highlighted a headteacher's observation that children are losing the ability to empathise due to online communication methods. Shared personal experience of receiving threatening messages on Facebook, which can take months to resolve identities.
Rebecca Harris
Con
Castle Point
Agreed with Caroline Nokes and shared her own experiences of knocking on the doors of abusive individuals who crumble under face-to-face confrontation, suggesting that 'keyboard warriors' are often timid in real life.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Calls for quicker and more effective action against social media platforms. Emphasises the lack of kindness on the internet and advocates for humour and kindness as a response to trolling. Supports laws relating to harassment and grooming but highlights difficulties in reporting crimes effectively.
Maria Miller
12:53:00
Suggests looking at approaches taken by countries like Australia and New Zealand for facilitating online abuse reports, warning against falling behind other nations in tackling the problem.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Reiterates the need for safe spaces and mechanisms to report abuse, particularly concerning children. Advocates for making personal, social and health education (PSHE) and sexual relationships education statutory in schools.
Raises concerns about online abuse being a social problem exacerbated by technology. Criticises the lack of coherent policy on what constitutes 'online abuse' by social media platforms, providing examples where reported abuse was not acted upon despite crossing clear boundaries of decency and legality.
Seema Kennedy
Con
Lancashire North West
Online abuse is crime, causing anxiety, depression, and changes in everyday behaviour. It often leads to real-world stalking, physical and sexual abuse, and even murder. There needs to be cultural change along with legislative change to address this issue. The current laws dealing with online abuse are piecemeal and need a wholesale review to ensure they reflect the reality of digital communication.
Anna Turley
Lab Co-op
Redcar
Introduces a private Member’s Bill in March to address malicious communications on social media, expressing willingness to work with colleagues and Ministers for legislative change.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
Ms Gibson thanked the right hon. Member for Basingstoke for securing the debate and emphasised that online abuse is a serious issue, especially for female MPs due to misogyny. She criticised the anonymity of online abusers who hide behind technology to threaten violence or hurl insults based on various forms of prejudice without facing consequences. She highlighted statistics from the UK Safer Internet Centre showing 24% of young people aged 13 to 18 have faced discrimination-based abuse, and 41% have experienced persistent bullying. Ms Gibson stressed that online abuse must be treated as a serious crime akin to physical abuse and called for the police to adapt practices to address cyber-enabled criminal acts. She also mentioned Victim Support's call for a legislative review due to an estimated 70% of crimes being cyber-enabled in five years’ time.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Expressed concerns about the impact of social media on children's mental health, noting that bullying is now 24/7 and lessens resilience. Suggested a new online offences Act and a children and young persons Act to address cyber-bullying and resilience issues respectively. Emphasised the need for legislation to define parental duties regarding social media use.
Seema Kennedy
Con
Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Agreed with Kit Malthouse that adults must set rules despite potential resistance from children, highlighting the responsibility of parents and teachers to act as role models in guiding proper use of technology.
Margaret Ferrier
SNP
Riverside
The Scottish National Party condemns online abuse and supports measures to hold abusers accountable. The scale of the problem is severe, with social media complaints now comprising a significant portion of calls to the police. Research shows that about 12,000 threatening tweets containing the word 'rape' were sent from UK accounts in one year. The campaign against online harassment is gaining momentum, particularly following incidents like Gamergate, which highlighted coordinated campaigns targeting individuals. Cyber-bullying can lead to serious mental health issues and even suicide among young people. Efforts are being made by organisations such as ChildLine and the NSPCC to address this issue.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Social media allows MPs to engage directly with constituents, but a small minority use it for abusive behaviour. The SNP condemns online abuse and supports measures to hold abusers accountable. Politicians are not the only targets; carers and others also face such abuse. In 2014, only 155 of those convicted under section 127 of the Communications Act were jailed, indicating a need for stronger enforcement. Cyber-bullying affects many children, with nearly 43% having experienced it, especially among LGBTQ+, disabled, and minority groups. There is also an increase in revenge porn, predominantly targeting women. We must raise awareness that cyber-bullying should be reported immediately.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Technology can be a tool but is also used as a weapon. The debate acknowledges gaps in addressing online abuse and harassment, especially for victims who lack the support MPs have access to. Cadbury highlights the importance of school management policies and curriculum changes alongside legislative action to combat sexual harassment and violence in schools. She mentions the Women and Equalities Committee's findings on normalised misuse of technology by young people, emphasising the need to address issues like misogyny and racism. A case study from her constituency illustrates how consensual relationships can escalate into abusive situations due to a lack of proper guidance and supervision. Cadbury argues for preventive measures instead of solely focusing on legal actions, suggesting that schools should adopt restorative justice approaches and ensure consistent training for staff and parents in dealing with online abuse.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Suggests that there should be a legal duty imposed on parents to monitor their children's activities online, similar to other legal responsibilities concerning child safety.
Nigel Huddleston
Con
Droitwich and Evesham
Congratulated the lead MP on securing the debate. Emphasised the importance of creating a safe online environment for children while acknowledging the internet's positive impacts. Highlighted the prevalence of mobile phone usage among Britons, noting that many find it difficult to secure their devices properly.
Acknowledged the debate on internet safety and highlighted issues such as homophobic and racist abuse, child abuse, and online bullying. Mentioned the loss of empathy in children due to technology overuse, noted the variety of experiences shared by Members about their encounters with online abuse. Discussed the duality of technology's impact and the need for legislation to tackle online abuse.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Asked whether internet anonymity should be allowed in the UK, suggested that publishing an annual report on MPs' received abuse could help raise public awareness about the extent of such issues.
John Nicolson
Lab
Nairn, Aberdeenshire and Moray
Proposed that the House should take action against online abuse. Emphasised the importance of robust political debate while condemning threats of violence and insults based on misogyny, homophobia, sexism, and racism. Highlighted the need for a strong message from politicians that online abuse is unacceptable. Called for the Minister to tackle Twitter and Facebook regarding their inadequate responses.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Acknowledged the importance of technology in democratizing society but expressed concern over online abuse which prevents people from feeling safe. Discussed statistics on cyber-bullying, including that 30% of children have been victims, one quarter come across racist or sexist messages online, and four in five teenagers saw or heard hate speech online in 2015. Called for the protection of digital citizens similar to physical safety and criticised internet companies for being too slow in addressing issues.
Ed Vaizey
Con
Didcot North
Thanked my right hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke for calling this important debate and discussed her contributions to press regulation, equal marriage, women's issues, and online abuse. Emphasised the influence of debates in driving policy changes such as revenge pornography legislation. Highlighted four key issues emerging from the debate: skill up police force with cybercrime specialists, legislative clarity on defining online abuse, role of anonymity, and platform responsibilities.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Asked the Minister to address whether there should be legislation placing specific duties such as child protection on large companies. Mentioned a general theme from contributions suggesting existing legislation consolidation or measures in the Digital Economy Bill.
John Howell
Con
Henley
Highlighted the contribution of creative industries to UK exports, suggesting that 40% of income from overseas is essential for success.
Maria Miller
Con
Basingstoke
Emphasised that not only those with pure arts subjects can contribute to the creative industries. These industries are one of the greatest exports this country has.
Julie Elliott
Lab
Sunderland Central
Elliott highlights the importance of creative industries in Sunderland, noting a decline in applications for creative subjects and advocating for promotion at GCSE, A-level, and BTEC levels. She mentions Sunderland's historical significance in culture and education, with a focus on glassmaking heritage and modern developments like the National Glass Centre. She emphasises the need to avoid sidelining creative subjects in schools and universities' role in fostering creativity. Elliott also discusses the thriving software sector in Sunderland, including Sunderland Software City which has supported over 300 businesses since its establishment in 2009. Additionally, she mentions the city's bid for UK City of Culture 2021 and various cultural initiatives, such as venues for live music and the work of the MAC Trust.
Chris White
Con
Warwick and Leamington
Stressed the importance of supporting the creative industries through investment, financial measures, and awareness. Highlighted various economic contributions such as £84.1 billion to the UK economy in 2014 and a 5% employment increase compared to the UK average of 2.1%. Emphasised the role of creativity in future-proofing against automation and the importance of nurturing talent from primary school level through universities. Mentioned the video games sector's contribution, with over 24,000 jobs across clusters in the UK, and called for increased awareness of tax credits and investment. Urged the Government to consider increasing arts funding given its significant economic returns.
Fiona Mactaggart
Lab
Rayleigh and Wickford
The Chancellor emphasises the importance of Britain's arts, museums, heritage, media, and sport. However, without adequate investment in education for these creative industries, there will be a decline. There is a concern that the EBacc is reducing students' participation in GCSEs, A-levels, and other examinations in expressive arts subjects such as drama, dance, art, and music. The Department for Education's figures are outdated, and evidence suggests a decline in these creative subjects. Fiona Mactaggart calls for the inclusion of at least one expressive subject within mandatory GCSE subjects to prevent this decline. She emphasises that children need experience with creativity, discipline, and craft to develop their talents in the creative industries. She also urges the Minister to discuss with the Department for Education whether her prediction about the decline is correct and seeks a commitment from the Minister to end the decline.
Nigel Adams
Con
Sherwood
Acknowledging the importance of discussing the creative industries, Nigel Adams highlights the contribution of music to the UK economy. The industry contributed £4.1 billion in 2014 and employs 117,000 people. He notes that music exports account for more than half of its gross value added and represents one in seven global album sales. The sector supports over 39,000 full-time jobs through music tourism alone. Adams mentions the UK Music's efforts to assess the impact of decisions on the live music scene in key cities and highlights Bristol as an example where live music generated £123 million revenue in 2014.
Margaret Ferrier
SNP
Rutherglen
Margaret Ferrier references the Scottish Affairs Committee's report recommending that the UK Government work with creative industry representatives to assess how tax reliefs could benefit Scotland differently, including variable rates of tax relief for different parts of the UK and creating a tax relief for SMEs working in the sector. She calls on Nigel Adams to join her in urging the government to disclose measures taken so far.
Nigel Adams
Con
Selby and Ainsty
It is important to ensure that creative industries are given the necessary tools to continue growing. The speaker highlighted issues such as remuneration for artists, infrastructure support from local authorities, business rates on festivals, and visa complexities for UK musicians performing in the US. He also emphasised the role of BBC radio in nurturing new talent and called for additional support from the Government and other stakeholders.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
The speaker stressed the importance of viewing creative industries not just economically but also as a vital part of cultural enrichment. He provided specific examples of Dundee’s contributions to the creative sector, including the University of Dundee and the upcoming V&A Dundee museum, highlighting the city's rich history in arts and design.
Patrick Grady
Lab
Garscadden
The speaker added a brief comment reminding his colleague to mention The Broons, another important cultural contribution from Dundee, alongside Oor Wullie and other characters.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
Mr. Law highlighted Dundee's thriving video game industry, mentioning Abertay University and its pioneering role in computer games education. He cited examples such as Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto to illustrate the success of Dundee’s creative sector. Mr. Law also emphasised the importance of supporting entrepreneurs within the creative industries by providing them with necessary advice, information, funding, and financial support. He discussed the findings of a report on tax incentives for creative enterprises in Scotland, noting that they are underutilised due to enterprise size and location constraints. Additionally, he urged the government to consider devolving responsibility for tax relief regulations to the Scottish Government to better suit local needs. Mr. Law further addressed public service broadcasting issues by highlighting dissatisfaction with BBC Scotland's output and proposed a solution of devolving an appropriate budget proportion from BBC to Scotland. Lastly, he stressed the need for the creative industries in Scotland to have representation during EU negotiations due to their reliance on cross-border collaboration.
David Amess
Con
Southend West
Congratulates Julie Elliott on initiating the debate, highlighting the success of creative industries in the UK and Southend-on-Sea. Mentions that the United Kingdom's creative industries generate £8.8 million an hour and are ranked second globally in soft power rankings. Emphasises Southend’s alternative city of culture programme as a testament to the town's thriving arts scene, including NetPark, a digital art park featuring specially commissioned works by local artists and school pupils. Highlights other cultural initiatives like the Thames estuary biennial festival and various local choirs and orchestras contributing to Southend’s creative landscape.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
McCarthy discusses specific concerns such as access to markets, copyright protections, free movement for artists and musicians, EU funding like Creative Europe fund, and the impact on cross-border collaboration. She raises questions about future participation in EU-funded programmes and the potential loss of EU nationals working in UK's creative sector. She also mentions the cultural significance of remaining connected with other European countries post-Brexit.
Patrick Grady
SNP
Glasgow North
Congratulates Members who secured the debate, highlights the growth of computer-gaming industry in Scotland, mentions the importance of e-sports and their viewership figures. Discusses Glasgow's cultural significance including music venues, festivals like Celtic Connections, and mentions initiatives to support local artists and protect open spaces for creative play.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Adds the Barrowland venue in her constituency, contributing to Glasgow's rich cultural scene.
Paul Farrelly
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Questions Patrick Grady about sustaining creativity and protecting artists from unfair contract terms. Invites suggestions for cultural venues during the Culture, Media and Sport Committee visit to Glasgow.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Shame!
Deidre Brock
SNP
Edinburgh North and Leith
Highlights the importance of writers, noting that average incomes have dropped to £11,000 in 2014. Supports talented individuals like Irvine Welsh and Kevin Williamson. Condemns Brexit's impact on creative industries, urging for better tax breaks, eased immigration policies, and increased Government support for exports.
Joanna Cherry
SNP
Edinburgh South West
Acknowledges the role of universities in nurturing Scotland’s creative talent. Mentions successful individuals such as Duncan Campbell, Alan Cumming, Ian Rankin, and Rachael Barrett. Emphasises Edinburgh Napier University's contributions to preparing graduates for employment in creative industries through various programmes.
John Howell
Con
Henley
Asks if there is something unique about the water in Edinburgh or if it is due to focused university efforts that have led to success in creative industries.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Alison Thewliss highlighted a case where Glasgow School of Art refused an expert's visit due to visa restrictions, suggesting that more flexibility is needed for such situations. She agrees with Joanna Cherry’s argument about the need for flexible visas and supports the reintroduction of post-study work visas in Scotland.
Joanna Cherry
SNP
Edinburgh South
Cherry reiterated that the current student immigration policy's employment rules are restrictive, especially for graduates from creative disciplines. She advocates for a more competitive post-study work visa system to support universities and businesses in finding skilled workers. There is broad support among university leaders, staff, students, business leaders, and political parties in Scotland for such changes.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Wishart summarised the debate by highlighting the UK's dominant position in cultural economy relative to GDP. He noted that the creative industries are growing at nearly twice the rate of the wider economy, creating numerous jobs and contributing significantly to economic growth. The creative sector is vital for reindustrialising the nation based on creativity and talent.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
The creative industries provide highly skilled jobs, opportunities for young people, employment, cultural enrichment. The UK's success is due to its talent development and growth conditions provided by the Government through tax reliefs, resources, and frameworks. However, challenges such as distorted markets by tech giants like Google and YouTube require proper functioning digital markets that ensure artists are rewarded properly. Leaving the EU poses a catastrophe for the creative sector with issues around single market access, tariffs, movement of people, and exclusion from digital single market discussions in Europe. The UK must retain talent through visa arrangements and participate in European debates on copyright laws to support innovation.
Kelvin Hopkins
Lab
Leeds West
Congratulates Julie Elliott on securing the debate and discusses his personal interest in music, highlighting Britain's success in classical and popular music. Emphasises the importance of state funding for arts education and public service broadcasting.
Ed Vaizey
Con
Didcot Constituency
Welcomes Kelvin Hopkins to his role as Labour's culture spokesman, discusses Software City in Sunderland and its success. Supports the idea of encouraging young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to consider hi-tech industries.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Highlights challenges around social mobility and access for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Welcomed the work on music hubs but urged the Government to monitor local government funding cuts affecting arts and cultural programmes.
Agreed with the Minister's encouragement for councils to support culture, but stressed that providing funds is also necessary given the financial constraints.
Julie Elliott
Lab
Wallasey
Ms Elliott discussed the importance of creative industries across diverse parts of the UK and mentioned concerns about access to learning and qualifications, echoing points made by her colleague regarding Brexit's impact. She welcomed the Government’s recognition but urged them not to overlook this sector's importance post-Brexit.
Government Response
Acknowledged the views of my hon. Friend Kit Malthouse and discussed the cautious approach towards additional responsibilities on the Digital Economy Bill to avoid overloading it. Emphasised the need for clear guidelines on online abuse, quick reactions from platforms, and partnership with companies while not ruling out regulation. Discussed initiatives such as the Great Place scheme and cultural citizens programme. Emphasised the importance of diversity in culture and the role of local authorities in shaping cultural strategies.
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