Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violent Crime: Young People

Monday 10 February 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Edward Timpson raised concerns about the link between school exclusions and knife crime among young people.
  • The Prime Minister is chairing a Cabinet Sub-Committee to address serious violence, focusing on tackling its root causes.
  • Margaret Ferrier highlighted the CashBack for Communities scheme's recovery of over 110 million through the Proceeds of Crime Act since 2008.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Timpson Con Crewe and Nantwich
Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
Context

Edward Timpson highlights the link between school exclusion and involvement in violent crime.

Question

Children excluded from school are twice as likely to carry a knife. A quarter of young offenders who are serving a custodial sentence of less than 12 months have a history of permanent exclusion. To help turn around the life chances of these children, will my hon. Friend take up the recommendations in my report on school exclusion, published last year, which are aimed at taking a public health approach to crime and tackling the root causes, not just the symptoms, of school disengagement?

Answer from Victoria Atkins (Minister for Policing and the Criminal Justice)

I thank my hon. Friend for his meticulous work in his report. He will know that the Prime Minister is taking charge of our response to serious violence, and is indeed holding a Cabinet Sub-Committee on this imminently. I agree that we must tackle the root causes of serious violence. That is precisely why we are bringing forward the serious violence Bill to place a duty on the agencies that can help to address it.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Margaret Ferrier SNP Rutherglen
Crime & Law Enforcement Scotland
Context

The Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities programme recovers money under the Proceeds of Crime Act and distributes it to youth projects in Scotland.

Question

A payment of £19 million is about to be made by the CashBack for Communities scheme, recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. This brings total payments to more than £110 million since the programme began in 2008. Will the Minister join me in welcoming this as something that can deliver real opportunity for young people in Scotland?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

As always, I will work with and commend anyone who is joining the Government's determination to cut down on violent crime and protect our young people.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)