Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Hate Crimes

Wednesday 12 January 2022 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Law Commission published a review of hate crime laws on 7 December.
  • The Government will focus on the Law Commission's recommendations and act if gaps in specific laws are identified.
  • The Government will publish a refreshed hate crime strategy and invest in measures to keep communities safe.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jess Phillips Lab Birmingham Yardley
Context

The Law Commission published its comprehensive review of hate crime laws, raising concerns about policy implications.

Question

What assessment has been made of the implications for policies following the Law Commission's recommendations on hate crimes?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The Law Commission published its comprehensive review of hate crime laws on 7 December. The Government will carefully consider those recommendations and provide a further response as quickly as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify timeline or specific actions to be taken in response to the recommendations

How: Under Review

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Q2 Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The Law Commission recommended a specific offence of public sexual harassment. Women and girls are experiencing daily harassment in public spaces.

Question

Will the review of the need for a specific offence of public sexual harassment be undertaken swiftly so that new legislation can be brought forward without further delay?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The Government is focusing on the Law Commission's recommendations which involve complex issues. If there are gaps in specific laws tackling public sexual harassment, the Government will act.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to a timeline for completing the review or proposing new legislation

How: Under Review

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Q3 Jess Phillips Lab Birmingham Yardley
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

An article in The Telegraph suggested the Government would implement a public sexual harassment law, contradicting recent statements.

Question

Was what was reported in The Telegraph correct or is the Minister's statement that they are still looking at it accurate? When can we expect new legislation?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The official position regarding The Telegraph report is unknown. We are responding to the Law Commission's review as quickly as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a clear commitment or timeline for legislation

How: Under Review

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Q4 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North
Women & Equalities
Context

Organisations advocate for a specific public sexual harassment law as recommended by the Law Commission.

Question

Will there be a legislative vehicle to make it possible quickly to enact a specific law against public sexual harassment?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

My right hon. Friend's views are represented, and we take these crimes seriously. We published the violence against women and girls strategy setting out measures to keep women and girls safe. We will work through complex issues swiftly for a response.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific request about legislative vehicle or timeline

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Q5 Rehman Chishti Con
Community Security
Context

Home Office statistics show significant hate crimes, including rises in Islamophobia and antisemitism.

Question

What will the Government do to address issues of religion-based hate crimes such as Islamophobia and antisemitism?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The Government take these issues seriously. A refreshed hate crime strategy will be published, and investments in measures to keep communities safe are being made, wherever they worship.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete actions or policies beyond general statements

How: Broad Principles

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