Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

County Lines: Safeguarding

Monday 14 December 2020 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial steps include establishing violence reduction units and conducting extensive police operations against county lines drug trafficking.
  • The government has increased investment in specialist services and recruited extra officers to combat county lines exploitation.
  • The youth endowment fund offers 200 million over ten years to research and fund effective programmes for at-risk youth.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
Context

The MP is concerned about the harm caused by county lines exploitation in her constituency and the impact on vulnerable children.

Question

What steps are being taken to tackle county lines drug trafficking and safeguard vulnerable children from exploitation?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

We are determined to tackle the harm caused by county lines exploitation. In addition to the establishment of violence reduction units, the extensive operations conducted by British Transport Police and other targeted policing across the country, we have increased investment in one-to-one specialist support for county lines victims and their families. We also fund Safecall run by Missing People charity.

Answered
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Q2 Karen Buck Lab
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
Context

The MP's constituency has experienced a series of killings linked to county lines activity, with significant cuts to youth and early intervention services.

Question

Does the loss of over a third of our police services and 80% of our youth services, along with halving of early intervention services, have helped or hindered in dealing with county lines?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The fault lies with criminal gangs peddling drugs. We have recruited extra officers and provided targeted investment for children and young people. The demand for illegal substances drives the market force of county line gangs across the country.

Not addressed: cuts to police services and youth services impacting efforts against county lines

How: Shifting Blame Onto Criminal Gangs

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Q3 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Children & Families
Context

The MP's constituency has seen grassroots groups like Action Isleworth Mothers set up to help families at risk from criminal exploitation.

Question

What additional support and funding will the Government provide to grassroots organisations such as AIM?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

I welcome the intervention described. The youth endowment fund of £200 million is available over 10 years to research effective programmes. I am happy to meet her to learn more about Action Isleworth Mothers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: additional support and funding for AIM specifically

How: Offering A Meeting

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Q4 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Parliamentary Procedure Children & Families
Context

The Children's Commissioner reported the risk to children in unregulated and unsupported accommodation, calling for a ban.

Question

Will the Minister speak with colleagues in DfE, DWP, MHCLG to support my Bill aiming to outlaw this?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Discussions are already taking place. I take the vulnerabilities of children in care very seriously and have seen first-hand the work youth workers do through the Trusted Relationships fund. Happy to meet her to discuss her Bill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific commitment from Minister to support the Bill

How: Suggesting Ongoing Discussions Without Clear Commitment

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