Topical Questions 2024-02-26

2024-02-26

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The Minister was questioned about the government's response to attempts to intimidate the House and undermine democratic processes.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Over the past few weeks, there have been disgraceful attempts to intimidate this House, undermining democracy. What steps is the Government taking to defend our democracy?
The Government will defend our democracy. We are working with the police and Parliament to ensure that disagreements are resolved through debate. We will not be intimidated; we will do whatever is necessary to protect those elected to represent constituents and safeguard freedoms.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
There has been a significant increase in Islamophobic and antisemitic hate cases in the UK since October, affecting marginalised communities.
He will be aware that there has been a 335% increase in Islamophobic hate cases and a 589% rise in antisemitic incidents. What steps is the Minister taking to protect worshippers and faith schools and reduce unprecedented levels of hate?
The Government have increased funding to the Community Security Trust by £3 million. We are also providing security measures for mosques and churches around the country. Engaging with organisations like Tell MAMA is essential.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Context
Stealing from small convenience stores is causing concern due to financial impacts on owners and the threat of violence towards staff.
Theft from small shops causes significant issues for shop owners and employees. Will my right hon. Friend set out how the Government plan to tackle such thefts and threats?
The Government have a retail crime action plan agreed with police. This includes ensuring police attendance when suspects are detained or violence occurs, running footage through facial recognition databases to identify criminal gangs.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Yvette Cooper Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Context
Tell MAMA reported a trebling of anti-Muslim hate incidents following a statement by the former deputy chair of the Conservative party.
Anti-Muslim hate incidents have tripled. Following recent statements about the London Mayor, will any Home Office Minister now condemn those words as Islamophobic?
Within 24 hours, the Prime Minister removed the Whip from that individual. Anti-Muslim hatred is wrong and this Government will work against it.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Yvette Cooper Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Context
The Government ditched plans for a new hate crime strategy and left it nine years to update the countering extremism strategy.
If the Government took this seriously, they would not have ditched plans for a new hate crime strategy or left it nine years to update the countering extremism strategy. Does he agree?
Anti-Muslim hatred is wrong. The Government work against it by proscribing Hizb ut-Tahrir, a tragic support to extremist communities.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address the question about ditching plans or updating strategies.
Working Against Hatred
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Context
The Government are looking to further restrict the ability of sex offenders to change their name. Should murderers face similar or stricter restrictions?
Should we impose at least the same restrictions, or an outright ban, on those convicted of murder because they can continue to be a threat to families of victims? Should we not?
Anyone convicted of murder receives a life sentence. They remain under an obligation to notify probation within 72 hours of any change of their name, with failure leading to immediate recall and up to five more years in prison.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Vicky Foxcroft Lab
Lewisham North
Context
Four years since the publication of the Youth Violence Commission report recommending violence reduction units, knife crime and serious violence are soaring.
Next month it will be four years since the cross-party Youth Violence Commission recommended violence reduction units. Knife crime and serious violence have soared across the country. Does the Minister accept that severe cuts to police numbers mean young people and communities lack protection?
Record numbers of police officers are now in England and Wales, including the highest per capita in London. Despite this, knife crime in London rose under Sadiq Khan's leadership.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific impact of funding cuts on youth safety
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
In 2010, the police long service medal eligibility changed from 22 to 20 years without retrospective application.
The period of service for a police long service medal was changed from 22 to 20 years in 2010. Sadly, Guy Hewlett and others were excluded due to lack of retrospective awarding. Will the Home Secretary agree to review this unfairness?
Changes of this nature are generally not applied retrospectively. However, I will review the matter again.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a specific review process or timeline
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Munira Wilson Lib Dem
Twickenham
Context
A young man was tragically stabbed to death at Strawberry Hill station.
Following a stabbing at Strawberry Hill station, the Minister acknowledges that intelligence-led community policing is key. Despite this, police officers have been cut by a third since 2015 and there are regular abstractions from Twickenham into central London. When will my constituents see a visible policing presence again?
London has record police numbers and highest per capita funding, making Sadiq Khan's performance unacceptable.
Assessment & feedback
Shifted blame to Sadiq Khan without addressing Twickenham's policing presence
Blame Shifting
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
The minimum income threshold for family visas is being raised incrementally.
Under new changes, the minimum income threshold for family visas will be raised over a year. Only 11 April 2024 has been given as a date so far. When can we expect further clarity and updates on future thresholds?
The reform is expected to complete in early 2025, with further staging posts. Monitoring implementation through initial increase.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific dates or thresholds for future updates
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Kerry McCarthy Lab
Bristol East
Context
Tragic recent incidents of young people being killed by knife crime in Bristol.
With several young people tragically killed by knife crime, what is the Minister doing to work with the Department for Education to involve schools in fighting youth knife crime?
The Youth Endowment Fund has a £200 million endowment to identify effective interventions, including school involvement, in 20 police force areas most affected.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify details on the Minister's direct collaboration with DfE
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
A night out in Wrexham where a nurse helped a collapsed man with delayed medical response.
During a recent night, a nurse helped a collapsed man with an hour-and-fifteen-minute wait for the first responder. Has the Minister assessed how much time is lost by police attending emergency services instead of NHS?
Police help in threats to life or safety, but for purely medical emergencies, it's for the NHS. Right Care, Right Person model roll-out will ensure medical responses.
Assessment & feedback
Redirected towards NHS response model without addressing police involvement impact
Redirecting
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
Yew Lodge hotel in Kegworth accommodates illegal migrants.
Yew Lodge hotel continues to accommodate 230 male illegal migrants. How much longer will this blight be inflicted on constituents?
One of the hotels in his constituency is being closed, and a credible plan exists to reduce cross-channel inflow by illegal means.
Assessment & feedback
Shifted focus to progress elsewhere without addressing Yew Lodge hotel directly
Blame Shifting Redirecting
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Context
A political statement, implying the destruction of Israel, was projected onto Big Ben last week. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner claimed he is powerless to address this.
The MP noted that the Met Police could use section 4A of the Public Order Act for threats and insulting behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress; could reasonably fear a breach of the peace and arrest individuals obstructing a constable under the Police Act. He cited police discipline for neglect of duty.
The Member stated that all were horrified by the projection, which was unacceptable and also a breach of planning law. The Minister expects police to take action and has communicated this forcefully to the Commissioner.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
North East Fife
Context
A constituent has been waiting for an asylum substantive interview for over 18 months and was recently left without explanation after a four-hour wait.
The MP requested the Department to look at this specific case so it can be resolved, citing systemic issues with long waits and cancellations without notice.
While improvements are being made in processing asylum claims and dealing with the legacy backlog, if the Member can provide specific details on this case, he will ask his team to look into it.
Assessment & feedback
If She Can Give Me Some Specific Details
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
The four-star Newton Park asylum hotel was closed at the beginning of February, 26 days early than planned.
The MP thanked her hon. Friend for closing the hotel and mentioned that it has improved relations with the villagers and bus service users.
The Minister paid tribute to his hon. Friend's work in representing constituents' views on this issue, stating they will continue to make progress on closing hotels as per their plan.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Grahame Morris Lab
Easington
Context
HSBC prevented a vulnerable constituent from conducting a bank transfer to fraudsters but failed to notify the police, leading to an £32,000 loss.
The MP asked for advice on how to recover the money and whether HSBC followed banking protocols in notifying the police.
Fraud is a serious issue, and efforts are being made to tackle it. Police forces around the country have 400 new officers in the national fraud service and the national fraud intelligence unit.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Context
The MP's private Member's Bill, making public sexual harassment a criminal offence, received Royal Assent last September.
When will the Act be commenced and when will guidance to police forces on it be issued?
The Bill is being supported by the government. While exact commencement date cannot be given, meetings with officials have been held.
Assessment & feedback
I Cannot Say Exactly When
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Diana R. Johnson Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Context
The Home Secretary terminated the appointment of Mr David Neal, after he lost trust due to public concerns.
Is Mr Neal a whistleblower? Is there any plan for publishing the 15 reports?
Mr Neal's appointment was terminated following breaches of his terms and loss of trust. Reports are carefully considered by Ministers and will be published in due course.
Assessment & feedback
As The Right Hon. Lady Knows
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Context
An extreme and antisemitic slogan was projected onto Big Ben last week, calling for the destruction of Israel.
Are there criminal offences that could be used for prosecutions? Will the Minister reiterate his calls for prosecution?
The Member's view is shared. The former Attorney General pointed out that police could have acted under multiple bases to prevent this projection.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Context
A constituent is stuck overseas and the issue was raised last week.
Can I please have a meeting with an Immigration Minister as this issue remains unresolved?
Ministers are always approachable and accessible, and he would be happy to speak to the Member about that matter.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
Thames Valley Police is leading in combating rural crime, and the next year's budget aims to double their rural crime taskforce.
Thames Valley police have consistently set the pace on combating rural crime, and next year's budget includes provisions to effectively double our rural crime taskforce. Will the Policing Minister join me in congratulating Thames Valley police on all they are doing and, more importantly, ensure that the Home Office learns from their best practice so that it can be applied across the country?
I pay tribute to Thames Valley's excellent police and crime commissioner, Matthew Barber, for the work he is doing in combating rural crime and crime more widely. We have funded a rural crime unit within the National Police Chiefs' Council, but I am happy to look at the excellent work in Thames Valley to ensure that lessons are learned across the country.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to specific actions or timelines for applying Thames Valley's best practices nationwide.
Response accuracy