Topical Questions 2022-11-14
2022-11-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK is working closely with France to reduce illegal small boat crossings over the Channel. Efforts have produced results, but more work remains.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities regarding illegal small boats crossing from France.
The UK is working closely with France to reduce illegal small boat crossings over the channel. Over the past year, those efforts have produced results. Today, I was in Paris with my French counterpart, Gérald Darmanin, to agree a more integrated and strengthened approach aimed at making that lethally dangerous route unviable, with world-class law enforcement teams from both countries working even more closely together. This includes UK officers joining French law enforcement as embedded observers, sharing real-time information on the ground and in command HQ. We will provide investment of up to £62 million this year.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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The Afghan citizens resettlement scheme commenced on January 6, 2022, for up to 20,000 at-risk people. A constituent's father has played a prominent role in women's education and achieved recognition from the United Nations.
May I raise a question about the Afghanistan citizens resettlement scheme on behalf of a constituent whose father has played a prominent role in women's education? The ACRS is clearly structured, but may I request a meeting with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to discuss the very special circumstances of my constituent's father?
If the details are sent, the relevant teams will look at that case concerning my hon. Friend's constituent's father who has played a prominent role in women's education and received recognition from the United Nations.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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A commission led by Helena Kennedy concluded that the 2020 stabbings and shooting at asylum accommodation in Glasgow's Park Inn could have been avoided. The commission recommended important asylum reforms.
On Friday, a commission established by Refugees for Justice concluded that safety issues at asylum accommodation in Glasgow could have been avoided. Will the Home Secretary or the Minister for Immigration meet Baroness Kennedy and Refugees for Justice to discuss this report?
I would be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman and the Baroness to discuss her report. We take safety at immigration removal centres seriously, as shown by the hard work of officers in difficult circumstances following recent disturbances.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government and French Government signed an agreement to deal with the asylum crisis. Current figures indicate only 1.5 decisions per week per decision maker.
Does the Home Secretary recognise that we need an asylum system that can process applications quickly? If the figures remain at 1.5 decisions per week per decision maker, as they are now, or at four a week, as in the Government's latest pilot, we will never see an end to the backlogs and delays.
We want to increase the productivity of our Home Office staff so that cases are not being decided to the tune of one per person per week, but at four, five or six per person per week. We had a positive pilot in Leeds and intend to roll it out across the country.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
There are fewer PCSOs, neighbourhood police officers, and uniformed officers on the streets. The Home Secretary has denied cuts to police budgets.
We have 8,000 fewer PCSOs, 6,000 fewer neighbourhood police officers, and people can see for themselves that there are fewer uniformed officers on our streets. In the vain hope that the public might be reassured by something this Government say, I will ask again: will she commit to matching Labour's plan to recruit 13,000 more neighbourhood police officers?
There is no need for smoke and mirrors when the police budget this year is £1.1 billion higher than last year. On completion of the police uplift programme in just a few months' time, there will be more uniformed police officers on our streets than at any time in this country's history.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government are committed to tackling violence against women and girls through the rape review, tackling violence against women and girls strategy, and tackling domestic abuse.
What steps are the Government taking to increase charging rates for offences of rape, serious sexual offending, and harassment against women and girls?
The Government are committed to tackling violence against women and girls. We are taking action through the rape review and the tackling violence against women and girls strategy and tackling domestic abuse to improve the police's response to these crimes. Charge volumes for rapes are up 8%.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Cases marked urgent not responded to within two months, and weekly phone calls with MPs' offices are being cancelled at short notice.
We have cases marked urgent not responded to within two months and weekly phone calls with MPs' offices being cancelled at short notice. When will Ministers get a grip of officials and make sure that Members of this House are treated with respect, so that we can represent our constituents?
The hon. Gentleman and I have already spoken about this matter, and it is absolutely right that officials at the Home Office treat Members of Parliament and their staff with the respect they deserve and that we ensure they get the relevant meetings and decisions.
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Q8
Direct Answer
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Context
The parliamentary police and fire service scheme is designed to provide MPs with a greater understanding of the pressures and challenges faced by police officers daily.
Having completed the course, I thank Sergeant Richard Neeves and West Yorkshire police for organising my participation in the parliamentary police and fire service scheme. Does the Minister agree that Members from across the House should be encouraged to take part in the scheme if they want to gain a greater understanding of the pressures and challenges our police officers face day-to-day?
I join my hon. Friend in thanking Sergeant Richard Neeves for the work he did encouraging and helping my hon. Friend to participate in the parliamentary police and fire service scheme. Yes, I do agree: Members from right across the House should engage in that scheme.
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Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
A group of asylum applicants in Acton were relocated to Ashford, causing disruption. The hotel provider requested the change.
172 men, women, and children from Acton who are asylum applicants were bussed 80 miles away due to a private accommodation provider wanting their hotels back. This made national news. Will the Home Secretary investigate this case as it affects families' lives and wastes public money by moving people unnecessarily?
The accommodation pressure is due to unprecedented numbers of illegal migrants arriving. We have a duty to accommodate them and are working with France to stop crossings.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific case investigation request was not directly addressed
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
France and the UK have an agreement to stop illegal migrants crossing in small boats.
Agreement reached with France to stop illegal migrants crossing. What more can be done to address this issue, considering countries like Germany and Sweden do not recognise refugee applications from Albania?
We need a multi-pronged approach. Some regimes governing asylum may change, and we are taking measures that will be announced in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions or timeline not provided
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q11
Direct Answer
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Context
An Afghan woman's spousal visa application is being delayed because Pakistan will not grant her a visa.
Will the Minister for Immigration meet me to discuss an Afghan spousal visa case where Pakistan won't issue a visa, preventing travel for biometrics?
I would be happy to look into that case.
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Q12
Partial Answer
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The independent inquiry into child sexual abuse reported that there were 8.8 million attempts to access illegal imagery online in the UK.
Will the Online Safety Bill include a provision for companies to report such content to the NCA, and will it be brought forward this year?
The Government are committed to tackling child sexual abuse. Good work is being done by the NCA and GCHQ. There will be some news imminently.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific provision in the bill not addressed, timing vague
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
UK government allows co-operation with France but not bespoke policies for Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
Why does the UK government allow cooperation with France on immigration but not bespoke policies for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to address demographic and labour issues?
We work together as one United Kingdom. Recent figures show Scotland's unemployment rate at 3.3% compared with the UK average of 3.5%. It is important to work as a united UK.
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Question about different policy approaches not addressed directly
Changed Subject
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
British taxpayers have spent £200 million since 2015 on French police forces. Despite this, a record number of illegal immigrants cross the channel.
Given that British taxpayers have subsidised the French police force to the tune of £200 million since 2015 and despite increasing interceptions, why is there nothing in the agreement obliging the French police to detain and arrest anyone they intercept?
The interventions by the French have been impressive but not enough. We are increasing gendarmes, embedded observers, and joint working to combat illegal crossings.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific obligations not addressed directly
Changed Subject
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Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
There is an issue with the over-policing of black children due to adultification, leading to strip searches without arrests.
Will the Minister commit to an independent investigation into the over-policing of black children?
The police must use their powers carefully and target offenders. There are codes of conduct, body-worn video data, and 40% of searches in London are of young men.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to independent investigation not given
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
There is an agreement with France to stop illegal migrants crossing the channel.
Is the Home Secretary confident that sufficient aerial surveillance assets will be in place?
We have a clandestine command and control team with Dan O'Mahoney, Border Force officials, military presence, and impressive technology like surveillance drones.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific confidence not addressed directly
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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The temporary offshore wind workers concession has been extended despite industry not requesting it. The questioner seeks clarity and a meeting to discuss the issue.
Why do the Government continue to extend the temporary offshore wind workers concession? The industry is not even asking for it. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the issue?
I would be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman. The extension was reviewed by the Government and, on the basis of the representations made to us by the industry, we extended it to April 2023. If he has heard other representations, I would be pleased to hear about them.
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Assessment & feedback
The exact reason for the extension is not fully explained and the questioner's request for a meeting is acknowledged but not committed to.
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Ipswich Borough Council's temporary injunction to prevent the Novotel from housing economic migrants was unsuccessful. The hotel owners might now have them for up to 12 months instead of six. The MP seeks an update on the Government's plan to move away from hotels.
On Friday, we found out that Ipswich Borough Council's temporary injunction to prevent the Novotel being used for up to 200 economic migrants was unsuccessful. More to the point, the owners are now saying they might have them for 12 months not six months. I heard in the media that the Government might move away from hotels to temporary accommodation such as Pontins. Can the Minister give me an update on the plan for moving away from hotels to much more basic and cheaper accommodation?
We want to exit hotels as soon as possible, including in my hon. Friend's constituency, and move to simple but decent accommodation that does not provide an additional pull factor to the UK. The challenge is considerable, however, as 40,000 people are making that perilous crossing every year, which places immense pressure on our asylum system and prevents us from providing the kind of humane and compassionate response that we want to provide to people coming here in genuine peril.
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Assessment & feedback
The plan for moving away from hotels is acknowledged but not detailed. The timeframe for this move is also vague.
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
The new Met Police Commissioner visited Twickenham to meet community representatives. He highlighted the pressure on officers due to high numbers of mental health cases, as sometimes multiple officers spend entire shifts with individuals in crisis.
Last week, the new Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley came to Twickenham to meet community representatives. He said that one of the biggest pressures facing his officers is dealing with large numbers of mental health cases; sometimes, multiple officers are spending entire shifts with people in mental health crisis because the NHS does not have a bed for them. Will the Minister outline what his Department is doing to work with the NHS to ensure that provision is in place so that officers can be out dealing with burglaries and catalytic converter theft?
The hon. Lady makes an important and valid point. I had a similar conversation with Sir Mark a couple of weeks ago and I was out with officers in my borough of Croydon the week before last where the emergency response team told a similar story. Sir Stephen House is looking at this topic as part of his review into police productivity, but I also plan to have discussions with colleagues across Government, including in the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, to find out what more we can do.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for details on collaboration efforts is partially acknowledged but not fully addressed. The timeframe or concrete steps are vague.
Response accuracy
Q20
Direct Answer
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Context
There is a need to attract talent from various walks of life, including those without degrees, into police forces.
It is vital that our police forces draw on the best talent in our communities, including people who excel outside the classroom. Following our discussions, can the Home Secretary update the House on future plans for entry routes into policing?
I thank my hon. Friend and other honourable colleagues for their important campaigning to ventilate this issue. He speaks not only with passion, but with a deep understanding of the issue. I very much agree with him. I think that there are people from all walks of life who do not necessarily have a degree or want one who can be very good police officers. That is why I have asked the College of Policing to consider options for a new non-degree entry route to complement the existing framework. The current transitional arrangements will be extended in the meantime, and I am very clear that the police force must be open to those who neither have or want a degree.
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Q21
Partial Answer
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In Batley and Spen, there are ongoing issues with antisocial behaviour, reckless driving, and dangerous parking. Neighbourhood police need resources to tackle these problems.
In Batley and Spen, we continue to face serious problems of antisocial behaviour, reckless driving and dangerous parking. Ultimately, behaviour change is key, but in the short term, neighbourhood police and local councils need the resources to catch and punish those who show no respect to our communities. When will the Government properly invest in neighbourhood policing, and when will they stop cutting already stretched council budgets so that councils can use their power to tackle dangerous parking?
Council budgets are obviously a matter for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and they will be set out in the local government funding settlement in a few weeks' time. When it comes to police budgets, which are the Home Office's responsibility, as I have said once or twice already, the budget this year is £1.1 billion higher than it was last year—it stands now at £16.9 billion—and by April next year, when the police uplift programme is complete, we will have more uniformed police officers recruited than at any time in our country's history.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for an end to council budget cuts and investment in neighbourhood policing is partially acknowledged but not fully addressed. The timeframe or concrete steps are vague.
Response accuracy