Topical Questions 2023-05-22
2023-05-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the high incidence of fraud in England and Wales, where it accounts for over 40% of all crime. The government has announced a new strategy to tackle this issue.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities regarding the ongoing effort to combat fraud, which represents more than 40% of all crime in England and Wales, including measures such as working with private sector partners and law enforcement to prevent fraud at its source and proposals for legislative changes like banning cold calling for financial products.
Fraud is a despicable crime that accounts for more than 40% of all crime in England and Wales. The Government's fraud strategy will do far more to block fraud at source by working closely with the private sector and law enforcement. The Online Safety Bill obligates tech platforms to protect users from fraud, and we will consult on banning cold calling for financial products and clamp down on number spoofing. We will ban devices that let criminals send mass scam texts or disguise their number when making scam calls. New powers will take down fraudulent websites.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent, Mrs L and Mr M from Hong Kong with BNO status, have faced difficulties accessing their own money due to the Chinese state's intervention in UK banks. The Home Office has issued more than 160,000 BNO visas.
My constituents Mrs L and Mr M, who came to the UK on a British National (Overseas) passport from Hong Kong, have been unable to access their bank accounts due to Chinese state interference despite having lived and worked in the UK. Does the Home Secretary consider it appropriate for BNO visa holders' financial rights to be restricted at the directive of the Chinese Communist Party?
I am very concerned by the issue the hon. Lady raises. We have welcomed more than 100,000 people from Hong Kong via our BNO scheme. We have also had similar reports and we have heard from a group of BNOs who have raised concerns of a similar nature. My right hon. Friend the Immigration Minister, and potentially the Security Minister, will get back to her on the details, but I share the concern she is raising.
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Assessment & feedback
The Home Secretary did not directly address whether it is appropriate for BNO visa holders' financial rights to be restricted by the Chinese state.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The current centralised system for processing African business visas often leads to delays and small errors, causing lost opportunities for both businesses and the UK.
Businesspeople from Africa have faced difficulties obtaining short-term visit visas due to a centralised system prone to minor application issues. This affects trade between Africa and the UK. Will the Minister look into this issue to find ways to improve the visa processing system?
I would be happy to take a further look and to learn from my hon. Friend's experience. I am pleased to say that UK Visas and Immigration is now processing all new visit visa applications within the service standard of 15 days, with 323,000 applications from those with African nationalities last year.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to any specific improvements or changes in the visa application process.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Home Secretary previously sought special treatment for a speeding ticket, which was revealed to the public. The issue has raised concerns about transparency and adherence to ministerial codes.
On this difficult anniversary, I pay tribute to those affected by terror attacks. However, when the Home Secretary received a speeding penalty last year, she reportedly sought special treatment through a private course and requested civil servants' assistance without disclosing what was asked of them. Will she confirm her actions with full transparency?
As I said earlier, in the summer of last year I was speeding. I regret that. I paid the fine and I accepted the points. At no time did I seek to avoid the sanction. What is serious here is the priorities of the British people. I am getting on with the job of delivering for the British people, with a record number of police officers and a plan to stop the boats, and by standing up to crime and for policing.
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Assessment & feedback
The Home Secretary avoided addressing whether she sought special treatment or aid from civil servants regarding her speeding ticket.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Home Secretary has been accused of breaking the ministerial code in various instances. The issue concerns her adherence to rules and enforcement for all.
The Home Secretary is failing to deliver for the British people, refusing to answer questions about seeking special treatment for a speeding ticket or clarifying statements made to civil servants. She has breached security protocols multiple times and seems above normal rules regarding penalties, appointments, and policy critiques. How can she enforce rules fairly if she thinks herself exempt?
I have some gentle advice for the right hon. Lady. The person who needs to get a grip here is the shadow Home Secretary and the Labour party, as they have wholly failed to represent the priorities of the British people. When, Mr Speaker, will the Labour party apologise for campaigning to block the deportation of foreign national offenders?
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Assessment & feedback
The Home Secretary did not address how she intends to comply with ministerial codes while being seen as above regular standards.
Attacking Opposition
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Local communities near Portland port, which houses asylum seekers in barges, are concerned about the lack of information on risk assessments and additional resources available for local councils and police.
My constituents are increasingly worried about a lack of transparency regarding the risk assessment and resource allocation for accommodating asylum seekers at Portland port. Can the Minister provide any more details to alleviate concerns?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the manner in which he has defended his constituents on this difficult issue. Although housing asylum seekers in more rudimentary accommodation such as barges is undoubtedly in the national interest, we are acutely aware of the challenges faced by the local communities in which they will be moored.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific details on risk assessments or additional resources for Dorset Council and police.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The Home Secretary was involved in a speeding incident which raised questions about her eligibility to remain in her role, particularly after she sought special treatment.
My heart and the hearts of all those on the SNP Benches go out to those affected on the anniversary of the Manchester Arena tragedy. Speeding can affect a person's eligibility for leave to remain in the UK, so should not the same motoring offence and, indeed, the further breaches of the ministerial code by attempting to get special treatment affect the Home Secretary's right to remain in her job?
As I said earlier, in the summer I was speeding. I regret that I was speeding. I accepted the points and I paid the fine. At no point did I seek to avoid the sanction.
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Assessment & feedback
The Home Secretary's eligibility for her job based on seeking special treatment
Wholesale Failure To Deliver
Opposing Bill
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a concern about the use of local hotels for housing asylum seekers, specifically mentioning Rothwell House Hotel and the Royal Hotel Kettering.
Will the Home Office ensure that the contracts for the use as asylum hotels of the Rothwell House Hotel and the Royal Hotel Kettering are terminated as soon as possible?
I know how strongly my hon. Friend feels about this issue. I will of course look into those contracts, but the enduring solution to this issue is to stop the boats in the first place.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for termination of hotel contracts
Enduring Solution
Boat Stopping
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Members of Turning Point UK have protested in the constituency, attempting to spread hatred without success. The organisation's activities are concerning.
Members of Turning Point UK have protested three times in my constituency recently, attempting to spread hatred and division unsuccessfully. Does the Home Secretary have any concerns about this organisation and how it receives its funding?
I thank the hon. Member for her question. Full details should be coming to us to look into that.
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Assessment & feedback
Investigating concerns about Turning Point UK and funding sources
No Specific Action Mentioned
Response accuracy
Q10
Direct Answer
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Context
The right to protest is a fundamental one, but it should not extend to blocking roads and disrupting daily life.
The right to protest is a fundamental right in this country, but that right does not extend to deliberately blocking roads and stopping people going about their daily lives. Therefore, will the Minister support the police if they choose to use their full range of powers to stop those who abuse the right to protest?
I completely agree with my hon. Friend. The right to protest emphatically does not extend to trying to ruin or disrupt the lives of fellow citizens.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The Home Secretary was involved in a speeding incident and is now trying to avoid discussing it. There are concerns about potential attempts to evade consequences.
The more the Home Secretary tries to evade the question, the more the British public will conclude that something underhand and fishy is going on. Will she answer a simple question? Did the Home Secretary ask civil servants to arrange a private speed awareness course?
As I have made clear, last summer I was speeding, and I regret that I was speeding. I was notified of the matter, I paid the fine and I took the points.
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Assessment & feedback
Arrangement of a private speed awareness course
No Untoward Happenings
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Many constituents face difficulty in knowing whether to approach the local council or the police for help with antisocial behavior, leading to frustration.
Antisocial behaviour is a blight on the lives of too many of my constituents, and their frustration is often exacerbated because it is not always clear whether it is the local council or the police who can resolve their problem. How can my right hon. Friend ensure that people are not passed from pillar to post, and that when they make complaints about bad behaviour it is tackled swiftly?
My hon. Friend raises an important issue. The Government recently published our antisocial behaviour action plan.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to ensure quicker resolution
Action Plan
Taskforce
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
There is concern that exempting private landlords from housing standards could harm vulnerable asylum seeker families, leading to exploitation by unscrupulous landlords.
If the Home Secretary insists on exempting private landlords from minimum housing standards for asylum seekers, local councils and fire authorities will not be able to enforce basic safety and overcrowding standards. Does that not mean that the worst landlords will make a fortune from Government funding while exploiting vulnerable families?
I can assure the hon. Lady that our intention is that there will be no diminution in accommodation standards, whether for asylum seekers or anybody else.
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Assessment & feedback
Minimum housing standard compliance
No Diminution
Hotspot Patrols
Response accuracy
Q14
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns exist about the organised nature of immigration-related crimes and their impact on illegal immigrant numbers.
My constituents are rightly appalled by the organised nature of so much immigration crime. Can my right hon. and learned Friend set out what work is being done to tackle those organised groups' operations at source, and what impact that is having in reducing the numbers of arrivals of illegal immigrants?
Part of our plan to stop the boats focuses on causal factors such as serious organised immigration crime gangs, which are networked and highly resourced. We have had some success in arresting hundreds of people involved in those gangs and disabling several such gangs.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The Home Secretary previously resigned citing serious mistakes made by the government, raising questions about her own responsibility for these issues.
In her previous resignation letter, the current Home Secretary wrote that pretending to not have made mistakes is not serious politics. Was she right? Has she made a mistake? Will she accept responsibility and resign?
As I said earlier, in the summer of last year I was speeding. I regret that I was speeding. I paid the penalty and I accepted the points. At no time did I seek to avoid any sanction or consequence.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about admitting mistakes and resigning, but the answer focused on a different issue (speeding ticket).
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q16
Direct Answer
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Context
There has been a significant rise in transphobic hate crimes, increasing by 56% between 2021 and 2022. This statistic highlights the urgent need for government action to combat this trend.
Given that there was a 56% increase in transphobic hate crime between 2021 and 2022, are the Government concerned? What strategies will they put in place to address this rise?
Transphobic crimes are hateful and represent up to 3% of all hate crimes recorded. The Government is funding groups such as True Vision and initiatives like the national online hate crime hub, with £3 million going to five anti-bullying organisations from August 2021 to March 2024.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy