Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Knife Crime

Monday 20 March 2023 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rebecca Long-Bailey inquired about the urgent need for Government support to address recent serious knife crime incidents in Salford.
  • The Minister responded by confirming plans to maintain or increase funding for Greater Manchester through the Grip hotspot funding.
  • James Gray questioned the effectiveness of current Government policies on knife crime, highlighting recent severe sentencing for a murder case.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rebecca Long-Bailey Lab Salford
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Knife crime in Salford fell last year but has increased since January, leading to serious incidents. The community needs urgent government support for knife crime reduction and bleed kit rollouts.

Question

Last year, knife crime in Salford decreased due to extensive work with young people by the Salford community safety partnership and police operations. Since January, there has been a spate of serious knife crime incidents distressing the community. We need urgent Government support for a proactive reduction strategy including dedicated funding and bleed kit rollouts across Salford.

Answer from Chris Philp

We are already directing ringfenced money towards Greater Manchester via Grip hotspot funding, which we will maintain or increase next year. We support violence reduction units to get young people on a better path. I am visiting Greater Manchester soon and look forward to discussing initiatives with Chief Constable Stephen Watson.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to ringfencing dedicated funding for Salford today was not explicitly provided

How: We Are Already Directing Ringfenced Money Towards Greater Manchester Via Grip Hotspot Funding, Which We Will Maintain Or Increase Next Year.

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Q2 Rebecca Long-Bailey Lab Salford
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Deterrence through tough sentencing is important in dealing with knife crime. The Government accepted only three out of seventeen recommendations from Ms Wade's report on sentencing in murder cases involving knives.

Question

Deterrence through tough sentencing must play a part in dealing with knife crime. While I welcome Ms Wade's report, I am disappointed that the Government have so far accepted only three of her 17 recommendations. Will the Minister speak to his colleagues at the Ministry of Justice to ensure all 17 recommendations are implemented?

Answer from Chris Philp

I will raise the issues that my hon. Friend mentions with colleagues at the Ministry of Justice, who I am sure will be receptive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to implement all seventeen recommendations was provided

How: Yes, I Will Raise The Issues That He Mentions With Colleagues In The Ministry Of Justice

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Q3 James Gray Con
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Five young men sentenced for murder using knives, sentencing is a form of justice but the Government have not acted until it is too late. There is a need for proper crime prevention.

Question

This week, five young men who murdered a 17-year-old boy from Poplar with knives were pictured for the first time. Those young men received sentences totalling 93 years in prison. Although sentencing is important, this shows the Government have failed to act until it is too late—sticking-plaster politics at the heart of power. When will the Secretary of State show some leadership and lay out a proper plan for crime prevention?

Answer from Chris Philp

The Government have spent £340 million in the last three years to tackle knife crime. Hospital admissions for injuries caused by knives have dropped 19% and violent offences decreased 38% since the last Labour government left office.

Not addressed: Plan for preventing violent crimes was not addressed

How: The Government'S Spending On Tackling Knife Crime, And Results

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