People Smugglers Prosecution 2025-06-19
2025-06-19
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents of Lichfield, Burntwood and surrounding villages are concerned about the previous government's handling of people smuggling in the Channel. Recent police efforts have arrested dozens of smugglers but more action is needed.
People across Lichfield, Burntwood and the villages want the Government to get a grip on people-smuggling in the channel after the previous Government’s dereliction of duty. Too many lives are at risk; too many people are making that dangerous crossing. Although it is great news that police are working hard, and have arrested dozens of people smugglers and seized almost half a million pounds of criminal cash, it is clear that we need to go further and faster. What steps is the Solicitor General taking to ensure that people smugglers face the hefty jail terms that they deserve?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right: it is vital that police and prosecutors work together to bring people smugglers to justice, and that our criminal justice system sends a clear message that people smuggling will be met with hefty jail terms. I am pleased to tell him that an offender who played a leading role in an organised crime group that smuggled nearly 4,000 migrants was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment in May.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer mentions one specific case but does not provide concrete steps or commitments for future action on the issue of ensuring people smugglers face hefty jail terms.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Many people in the United Kingdom are frustrated by the fact that millions of pounds are being paid to the French authorities for border security, yet there is little progress.
Does the Solicitor General understand the frustration, annoyance and anger of many people in the United Kingdom about the fact that we are paying the French authorities many millions of pounds to do what appears—at the moment anyway—to be very little to smash the gangs that we keep being told will be smashed?
International partnerships are an incredibly important part of our plan to smash the gangs. Our recent work with the French Government in particular is bearing a great deal of fruit. In fact, we hope that the French will soon be able to address the situation that they currently cannot: when would-be migrants are in shallow water.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer avoids addressing the frustration and does not provide specific details on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the payments made to the French authorities.
Changed Subject Entirely
Response accuracy