Topical Questions 2021-11-22
2021-11-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Following the death of Sarah Everard, an inquiry was initiated to investigate how a serving police officer could commit such crimes.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities regarding the independent inquiry into the circumstances of Sarah Everard's death and whether it will be statutory or non-statutory in nature.
An independent inquiry into Sarah Everard's murder is being launched. The right hon. Dame Elish Angiolini QC will chair it and examine how a serving police officer was able to commit such crimes, including vetting procedures and colleagues' responses. It will initially be non-statutory but may convert if necessary.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Eighty per cent of the working-age population in the Lake district works in hospitality, leading to a shortage of domestic labour after restrictive new visa rules.
Will she recognise that we have a special case in the Lake district and meet me with tourism industry chiefs to discuss a youth mobility visa solution?
The hon. Gentleman is correct in highlighting his district's need for labour. The hospitality sector will be supported through reforms, including increased numbers under the seasonal agricultural worker pilot scheme and work on youth mobility schemes globally.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Meeting request not directly addressed
Working With Tourism
Youth Mobility Schemes
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Local farmers cannot fill vacancies from the domestic market and need agricultural workers.
What work has my right hon. Friend done with DEFRA on a solution to this issue, so we can all enjoy these farmers' excellent Cornish produce?
Reforms are in place through the seasonal agricultural worker pilot scheme, which has increased the number of workers in key sectors. Investment is being made in domestic labour market skills.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The number of people crossing the English channel has dramatically increased, leading to concerns about safety and responsibility.
Put it on a statutory footing now. Over the weekend, there were even reports that she is yet again trying to shift blame to officials in her Department. Why will she not show some leadership and accept the responsibility that lies with her for this dangerous situation?
The inquiry into Sarah Everard's murder is being handled properly to protect the family. The Government are dealing with illegal immigration, including new plans and efforts to stop crossings.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific leadership admission not made
Protecting Family
Stopping Crossings
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Government's handling of the French authorities and aid budget has been criticised for not addressing reasons why people flee their homes.
Will the Home Secretary admit that bringing the Cabinet Office into sorting out this issue is a sign that she has lost trust?
No, throughout.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Complete refusal without addressing the issue's merits
No Comment
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Home Secretary's responses to previous questions about channel crossings have referred to new legislation. Concerns over the effectiveness of this law against human rights lawyers.
Every time we ask a question about channel crossings, the Home Secretary, whose instincts are entirely sound, refers us to the new legislation. What confidence can we have that when that legislation becomes law, the same human rights lawyers will not sink their teeth into it, leaving us back at square one? If this is such an emergency, why do we not rush the legislation through both Houses now?
My right hon. Friend makes an important point. That is why the legislation has been put together in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice, which has an important role in working with specialist immigration law firms and changing our laws. He will know the details of the Nationality and Borders Bill and the comprehensive work that is taking place.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address rushing legislation through Houses or confidence in it against legal challenges.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Average wait for final payment under Windrush compensation scheme is 434 days. Constituent Anthony Bryan's case raised but no meeting offered.
At the last Home Office questions, I raised the issue of the hardship that claimants under the Windrush compensation scheme are experiencing. Despite the supposed urgency of this for the Government, the average time that claimants are waiting for their final payment is 434 days. I raised the case of my constituent Anthony Bryan in particular; the Home Secretary told the House that she would meet me to discuss the case, only to revoke the offer later. Will she assure the House that she will fulfil her original promise to meet me? Will she also commit to publishing the guidance on how compensation claims are accelerated?
I am certainly happy to look into the matter and meet the hon. Member about the case to which she refers. We have put additional resources into the Windrush compensation scheme team to ensure that we can get the decisions that people deserve.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address commitment to publishing guidance on claim acceleration.
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
▸
Context
UK Government's decision to proscribe Hamas in its entirety. Case of Eli Kay, murdered by Hamas terrorists.
I strongly welcome the Home Secretary's decision to proscribe the Hamas terror group in its entirety. That will send the unmistakable message that the UK Government are committed to protecting our Jewish community and combating terrorism. The horrific murder of 26-year-old Eli Kay by Hamas terrorists yesterday in the old city of Jerusalem reinforces the importance of the decision. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the new designation will ensure that anyone spreading the terror group's genocidal, antisemitic ideology, including by waving flags, will feel the full force of the law?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. He clearly understands the importance and significance of proscribing Hamas in all its forms. When the motion comes to the House for debate this week, I hope that all Members of this House will support it, because clearly inciting and supporting terrorist activity is simply wrong.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide confirmation on enforcement mechanisms.
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Case of a constituent eligible for both Afghan relocations and assistance policy and the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme.
I have raised one constituent's case with the UK Government 13 times; it relates to the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme. I still do not know whether my constituent's case is being progressed under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy or ACRS. Neither does he, and nor do his family; they are eligible for both schemes, but we do not know under which one his case is being progressed. Please could the Minister ensure that UK Visas and Immigration has answers to give Members and our constituents—and that individuals, particularly in Afghanistan, are getting updates about what is happening?
The hon. Lady will know that I cannot answer that question on the Floor of the House, but I am very happy to take the name of her constituent afterwards. I have to emphasise, however, that if people remain in Afghanistan, as I have set out on the Floor of the House and in my “Dear colleague” letter, we simply cannot casework them at the moment in the way that parliamentarians would expect, because of the security situation in Afghanistan.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address updating constituent's case eligibility status.
Security Situation In Afghanistan
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Cross-party consensus needed on prosecuting drug gangs; concerns over opposition's policy stance.
I thank my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary for the work that she is doing on prosecuting those who participate in county lines drugs. We need cross-party consensus in dealing with dangerous drug gangs in our country, so does she share my disappointment that the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow Home Secretary are backing a policy of not prosecuting those who are found in possession of class A drugs such as heroin, crystal meth and crack cocaine? May I draw her on the issue, and on our party's approach to dealing with it?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There should be no room for confusion in people's minds: drugs are bad in all their forms, and this Government will do everything we can to restrict supply and deal with demand.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address opposition's policy or provide specific stance.
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Sistah Space campaigns for Valerie's law on mandatory training for police and agencies to deal with domestic violence in black communities.
Sistah Space supports black women and girls who have experienced domestic violence. It is campaigning for Valerie's law, which would introduce mandatory training for police and other agencies, including on dealing with domestic violence in black communities. Will the Minister meet me and Sistah Space to discuss this important issue before the upcoming petitions debate?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right to highlight the importance of the police force's response to the domestic abuse of all victims. I will be very happy to meet her.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific action on training or Valerie's law.
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Studies including the Lammy review conclude that improving trust in policing institutions is essential to reducing crime.
Does the Home Secretary agree that successive studies, including even the 2017 Lammy review, have concluded that improving trust in—and the legitimacy of—our law enforcement officials and institutions, particularly in communities where those have historically been low, is essential to reducing crime everywhere? What further steps does she therefore intend to take to level up in that vital area?
My hon. Friend is right, and he will know that through the Uplift programme we are pushing hard to increase the diversity of UK policing so that the police force looks like the population whom it seeks to protect and represent. We have instituted a review of vetting across policing and, indeed, wider work on police integrity generally, but we are also talking to police leaders about the signal that they send internally within the force to create a culture that inspires trust and a sense of integrity in the British people.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps or timeline for implementation.
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The United Nations estimates that 23 million people in Afghanistan will be at risk of famine during a harsh winter. The Afghanistan resettlement scheme is delayed, leaving many individuals in limbo.
A harsh winter is about to hit Afghanistan, and the UN estimates that 23 million people will be at risk of famine. Surely it is a dereliction of duty for the Government not to have the Afghanistan resettlement scheme in place. Many people have been left in limbo as a result, and aid agencies are looking for answers in respect of what is going to happen.
I entirely understand the concern of the hon. Gentleman and, indeed, the House about the situation in Afghanistan but the reality is as it is on the ground. We wish it were otherwise, but it is not, so we are working apace—but carefully—to ensure that when the scheme is launched it works well for the people who are eligible for it and works well over the years in which it will operate.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or date for launching the resettlement scheme
Working Apace—But Carefully
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The shadow Home Secretary used the number of people crossing the Channel to attack the Home Secretary.
A few moments ago, the shadow Home Secretary attacked my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary regarding cross-channel crossings. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that supporting the Nationality and Borders Bill is the best way to deal with illegal crossings? Will she also condemn Opposition parties voting against every measure?
My hon. Friend is, of course, absolutely right. It is particularly staggering that in Committee the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Bambos Charalambous), condemned the record of the previous Labour Government, who used to argue that people should not be making crossings of this sort and that they should claim asylum in the first safe country that they reach.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Supporting Nationality and Borders Bill and condemning opposition
Condemning Labour'S Record
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A six-month time limit on prosecuting common assault of domestic abuse is causing justice issues.
Domestic abuse victims often cannot report abuse immediately. The unfair six-month time limit means they are denied justice and perpetrators are let off. I tabled an amendment to lift the limit, debated in the House of Lords today. Will the Home Secretary now accept that amendment?
We have always been clear about support for domestic abuse victims. The right hon. Lady will recognise that in the landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021, the work done in both Houses during its passage and our response to everyone who has been a victim of domestic abuse.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Supporting amendment to lift prosecution time limit
Support For Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Home Secretary announced the new chair of the Sarah Everard inquiry.
I welcome the Home Secretary's announcement of a new chair for the Sarah Everard inquiry. Can she assure us that necessary steps on vetting, treatment of sexual misconduct allegations, and sanctions will be taken in the interim?
Absolutely, and that is why we are pressing ahead with the inquiry on this particular basis. Let me say to all colleagues throughout the House that throughout all the discussions, and in view of the obvious sensitivities surrounding the murder of Sarah Everard, much thought and consideration has been given to the timeframe.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific interim measures on vetting and treatment
Pressing Ahead With Inquiry
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Government Departments are withdrawing from the Stonewall diversity champion scheme over misrepresentation concerns.
A number of Government Departments have withdrawn from the Stonewall diversity champion scheme. What are the Home Office's plans regarding its membership?
I will write to the hon. and learned Lady and tell her what the overall position is across Government.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Home Office membership plans for Stonewall diversity champion scheme
Writing A Response
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Nationality and Borders Bill is aiming to deal with the issue of illegal immigration.
Does the Home Secretary agree that offshore processing is a sovereign nation's single most important step in protecting its own borders from illegal immigration?
It is fair to say that, through the Nationality and Borders Bill, we are putting in place a comprehensive package of measures to deal with this issue. Central to that work is the issue of offshore processing.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Agreement on importance of offshore processing
Comprehensive Package Of Measures
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Colin Pitchfork, a child rapist and murderer, was released and is now back in prison.
The Home Secretary will be acutely aware that Colin Pitchfork, the double child rapist and murderer, is now back behind bars. The fact that he was released shows something is wrong at the heart of the system. What conversations are happening with the Justice Secretary to ensure this never happens again?
This is a very important case, and many conversations are taking place across Government, particularly with the Justice Secretary, the Ministry of Justice and the Parole Board. I cannot add any more than that.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Details on specific actions or reforms
Many Conversations
Response accuracy