Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Safer Streets Fund

Monday 15 January 2024 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Marie Rimmer questioned the impact of the safer streets fund on women's safety, noting an investment of 150 million since 2020.
  • Marie Rimmer inquired about the government's justification for cutting 400,000 from projects aimed at reducing violence against women and girls in Merseyside.
  • Alex Davies-Jones welcomed the safer streets fund but criticized the Home Secretary for joking about spiking, a serious issue.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marie Rimmer Lab St Helens South and Whiston
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

The MP inquired about the impact of the Government's £150 million investment into two funds aimed at enhancing public safety. She was specifically concerned with round 1 evaluation showing improvements but wanted to understand its broader implications.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the safer streets fund on the safety of women and girls? Since 2020, £150 million has been invested in two funds. Evaluation showed it was boosting trust and community safety.

Answer from Laura Farris

The objective of the safer streets fund and the safety of women at night fund is to enhance public safety in a direct and targeted way, neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Since 0220, £150 million has been invested across two funds, showing that investment was boosting trust in the police and making communities feel safer.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Marie Rimmer Lab St Helens South and Whiston
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP noted a significant cut of £400,000 in funding for projects to reduce violence against women and girls in Merseyside, leading to one project ceasing. This led to a 38% reduction overall.

Question

Does the Minister justify the Government cut of 38% of the funding for projects to reduce violence against women and girls in Merseyside? They have cut £400,000, and one project will have to cease. What is this funding going towards?

Answer from Laura Farris

Under the safer streets fund, £3.9 million has been allocated to Merseyside including for a project in St Helens town centre. It has gone towards lighting, signage and improvement to taxi ranks, providing women with a free taxi service home.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the justification or explanation of the 38% cut in funding explicitly.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP welcomed the safer streets fund supporting the night-time economy but criticised the Home Secretary's joke about spiking his wife, questioning its appropriateness and seeking clarity on legal parameters.

Question

We welcome the safer streets fund which will support the night-time economy hit over 14 years. The Government's efforts to tackle spiking have been undermined by the Home Secretary joking about it. Why did he joke, and how many drops of Rohypnol are illegal?

Answer from Laura Farris

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. The point is that we are the first Government who have done something about spiking—it is not a new offence, but statutory provisions in the Offences against the Person Act 1861 could have been taken by the last Labour Government. We are investing money in rapid drinks testing kits to get more offenders behind bars.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address why the Home Secretary made his joke or provide a specific number of drops of Rohypnol that constitute illegal use.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email