Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 10 December 2024 · 23 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 15 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Antonia Bance asked about the plan for building 14,000 prison places, and the Justice Secretary committed to setting out a realistic plan in the 10-year capacity strategy.
  • Antonia Bance inquired about the effectiveness of civil orders for domestic abuse victims, and the Justice Secretary responded with the launch of a pilot for domestic abuse protection orders.
  • Robert Jenrick questioned the Justice Secretary about increasing sentences for career criminals, and the response mentioned addressing mobile phone theft issues through collaboration with tech companies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Antonia Bance Lab Tipton and Wednesbury
Justice & Courts
Context

The National Audit Office report criticized the previous government's failure to build promised prison places.

Question

Last week, the NAO released a report on the previous Government's record on prison building. They failed to deliver 20,000 prison places by the mid-2020s as promised and left prisons overcrowded. Will you set out your realistic plan for building 14,000 prison places?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

I will set out in my 10-year capacity strategy a realistic plan for building the 14,000 prison places that we need, and I will ensure that our prisons are never left at the point of collapse again.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Antonia Bance Lab Tipton and Wednesbury
Justice & Courts Safeguarding & DBS
Context

MP concerned about victims of domestic abuse facing perpetrators breaching protective orders.

Question

I have heard horrific stories of perpetrators breaching civil orders, giving them further opportunity to terrorise or kill women protected by those orders. What action is the Justice Secretary taking to assess and improve the effectiveness of civil orders in safeguarding survivors of domestic abuse?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

This Government have launched a pilot of domestic abuse protection orders in various areas, bringing together the strongest possible protections for victims. Breaching such orders will be a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Robert Jenrick Reform Newark
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

London faces an epidemic of mobile phone theft, with over 64,000 phones reported stolen last year.

Question

Last month, a criminal who stole 24 phones per hour was jailed for just two years. Will the Justice Secretary commit to dramatically increasing sentences for career criminals, get them off our streets and slash crime?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The Home Office is meeting with tech companies to discuss how we can break the business model of those criminals. We are addressing the issues with mobile phone theft.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to increasing sentences for career criminals

How: Meeting With Tech Companies

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Robert Jenrick Reform Newark
Justice & Courts
Context

Cousin marriages are seen as increasing risk of birth defects and exploitative practices.

Question

The medical evidence is overwhelming that cousin marriage significantly increases the risk of birth defects. Will the Justice Secretary commit to ending this medieval practice in Britain?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The Law Commission has reported on marriage law and the Government are consulting on broader reform of marriage law, which will consider issues raised about cousin marriage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to ending cousin marriages

How: Consulting On Reform

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Dave Robertson Lab Lichfield
Justice & Courts
Context

HMP Swinfen Hall prison officers are concerned about retention at the start of their careers and moving into more experienced roles.

Question

Can you reassure me about the steps being taken to encourage retention of experienced members of staff in prisons?

Answer from Nicholas Dakin

The Government accepted the Prison Service pay review body's independent recommendations, delivering a 5% pay increase for prison officers. We monitor exit interview data and use it to help design interventions to improve retention.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Helen Maguire Lib Dem Epsom and Ewell
Employment Safeguarding & DBS
Context

One in four people of working age in the UK has a criminal record, facing barriers with employers despite no longer posing a threat.

Question

What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that the criminal record implications of a sentence do not disproportionately impact an individual?

Answer from Nicholas Dakin

The issue is always under review, but that is where we are at the moment.

How: Under Review

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q7 Shaun Davies Lab Telford
Justice & Courts
Context

MP welcomes steps taken with technology for exclusion zones and monitoring alcohol and drugs.

Question

How will the Secretary of State use offender monitoring technology to improve efficiency in managing offenders effectively in the community?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

Tagging technology can monitor offenders effectively. We have tags that monitor curfews, exclusion zones, home detention and sobriety with a 97% compliance rate. We are looking at expanding use of technology to improve productivity in the Probation Service.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q8 Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk
Immigration Justice & Courts
Context

Albanians, Jamaicans, Iraqis and Somalis are disproportionately likely to be criminals in Britain.

Question

Will the Government publish data on nationality, visa status, and asylum of all offenders in prison? If yes, can we have a timeline; if not, why?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

We are using an inherited data collection approach. We are committed to ensuring that foreign national offenders are deported and are on track to deport more this year than last.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Publication of nationality and status data for prisoners

How: Using Inherited Data Approach

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q9 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

Constituents with relatives in Parc Prison have raised concerns about safety and facilities. The Victims Minister and the Prisons Minister visited on Thursday.

Question

Like other hon. Members from south Wales, I regularly hear from constituents with relatives in Parc Prison of their concerns about safety, the state of the facilities and the difficulty of getting medication and mental health support. Can the Minister report back on what the management are doing to improve things?

Answer from Nicholas Dakin

HMP Parc is receiving targeted support and the Minister for Prisons in the other place will provide full evidence about this and other matters to the Welsh Affairs Committee tomorrow.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not report back on specific improvements being made at HMP Parc

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q10 Rosie Duffield Ind Canterbury
Justice & Courts
Context

Wetherby houses boys, men, girls, and women together despite Elizabeth Fry's work to separate them. The Women's Rights Network supports Susannah Hancock's review of this issue.

Question

Elizabeth Fry first began her work to create sex-specific prison facilities for women in 1813 with the primary aim of protecting female prisoners from rape. Yet, girls and women continue to be housed with boys and men at Wetherby. Does the Secretary of State agree that Susannah Hancock's review is urgently needed? Can she give any indication of when Susannah will conclude her review?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

There are no girls currently in Wetherby. We have not changed and will not be changing the policy we inherited from the previous Government in relation to single-sex spaces; that policy will remain as it has been. The women's justice board will consider issues related to female offenders across the women's estate.

Not addressed: Did not agree on urgency of Susannah Hancock's review or provide a timeline for its conclusion

How: Changed Subject

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q11 Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

The framework lacks interim support for child victims before accessing their award. Three young constituents who were victims of rape are affected.

Question

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's framework has gaps, particularly lacking interim support for victims of crime under 18 before they can access their award. This is profoundly affecting three of my young constituents and their families dealing with the consequences of rape. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how we can do more for child victims of serious offending?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

My hon. Friend raises an important point about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The previous Government undertook a review; no response was published when the election was called in May. We are considering support for victims, including child victims, and advising on a new victims' code in the new year to look at this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm if the Secretary of State will meet her or provide specific actions taken by her department.

How: Hedging Language

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q12 Neil Shastri-Hurst Con Solihull West and Shirley
Justice & Courts
Context

Since the beginning of this year, 17 inmates have died at HMP Parc. It has been under G4S management since opening in 1997.

Question

With 17 inmate deaths this year at HMP Parc, which has been under G4S control since its opening in 1997, what consideration has the Lord Chancellor made of returning the prison to Ministry of Justice control?

Answer from Nicholas Dakin

HMP Parc is receiving a lot of attention. The Minister for prisons in the other place will be answering questions tomorrow regarding this and other matters.

Not addressed: Did not address whether HMP Parc should return to MOJ control

How: Changed Subject

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q13 Alex Baker Lab Aldershot
Justice & Courts
Context

Two weeks ago, a gang of six men attacked and stole products at Currys in Farnborough Gate, a common crime trend.

Question

Since the beginning of this year, there have been numerous incidents of 'steaming' attacks where gangs destroy and steal from shops. How will the sentencing review contribute to cracking down on such appalling behaviour?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The independent sentencing review will be making recommendations to ensure our sentencing legislation and framework is fit for purpose. It will look at all those issues in the round.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific recommendations on how the sentencing review addresses steaming attacks.

How: Hedging Language

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q14 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Drug smuggling in prisons is a long-standing issue costing over £100 million under the previous government.

Question

The smuggling of illegal drugs into prisons has been a problem for many years. The last Government spent over £100 million trying to deal with it; what plans do the current Government have?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

We are expanding the use of no-fly zones and scanners. Hardened criminals are increasingly moving on to using drones instead, so we need to look at both supply and demand sides.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific figures or detailed plans for tackling drug smuggling.

How: Hedging Language

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q15 Michelle Welsh Lab Sherwood Forest
Justice & Courts
Context

Court backlog issues across England affect rape victims waiting over a year for trials, with almost 1,800 cases in Nottinghamshire alone.

Question

The current court backlog is an indictment of the previous Government, leaving almost 1,800 cases in Nottinghamshire alone. Victims are waiting over a year to have their case brought to trial. What is the Department doing to prioritise these cases?

Answer from Sarah Sackman

We must tackle the Crown court backlog, which we are doing through Nightingale courts and recruiting more judges. We need fundamental reform for justice not delayed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions to prioritize rape cases specifically.

How: Hedging Language

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q16 Bradley Thomas Con Bromsgrove
Justice & Courts
Context

Concern over the use of community sentences and their impact on public confidence.

Question

To boost public confidence in the criminal justice system, can the Minister confirm that the Government will not resort to increased dependency on community sentences, many of which are unserved?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

We have brought forward an independent sentencing review to look at the issues of sentencing in the round. The review will also make recommendations on how prisoner rehabilitation can help people turn their lives around and cut reoffending rates.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not confirm or deny increased use of community sentences as asked.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q17 Luke Murphy Lab Basingstoke
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Incidents in Basingstoke where women were victims of spiking, highlighting gaps in awareness and response.

Question

Victims including Skylar, Laura and Jade have highlighted serious gaps in the awareness of and response to spiking. Will the Minister update on how measures will be implemented to prevent further incidents?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

This Government are committed to bringing forward a specific new offence of spiking. We are also modernising existing legislation in this Session so that no other victims suffer these crimes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not provide details on the implementation measures requested.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q18 Iqbal Mohamed Ind Dewsbury and Batley
Justice & Courts
Context

Over 2,900 prisoners are still incarcerated under IPP sentences that were abolished over a decade ago.

Question

Will the Justice Secretary commit to expediting plans to re-sentence all prisoners on indefinite IPP sentences?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

I am determined to make progress in ensuring that, when safe to do so, more individuals can come out of prison. However, I will not conduct a re-sentencing exercise as it would release everyone immediately and compromise public protection.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not commit to expediting plans but instead explains the approach taken.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q19 Brian Leishman Lab Alloa and Grangemouth
Employment
Context

Section 127 bans prison officers from taking industrial action and limits trade union rights.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that it is time for section 127 to change so that workers' rights are fully restored?

Answer from Nicholas Dakin

I do not think now is the time to consider that.

Not addressed: The response does not address the question and changes subject by indicating it's not the right time for consideration.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q20 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

Avon and Somerset police is addressing inappropriate behavior towards women at Bath Christmas market.

Question

What more can the Ministry of Justice do to tackle street harassment?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

We are working closely with colleagues in the Home Office to tackle violence against women and girls, including all crimes such as harassment. This Government were elected to halve such violence over a decade.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response discusses general efforts without providing specific actions by the Ministry of Justice.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q21 Harpreet Uppal Lab Huddersfield
Justice & Courts
Context

County lines drug dealing is impacting children across the country.

Question

What options will the sentencing review explore to disrupt criminal networks and protect vulnerable young people?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The sentencing review will look at the sentencing framework, drug crime, and I will ensure my hon. Friend gets a response from the Home Office specifically on county lines.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not provide specific details on what options are being explored.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q22 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

A prisoner was recently released under the Government's early release scheme and later removed their GPS tag.

Question

What assessment has been made on reoffending rates since the start of the early release scheme?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

Anybody who breaches their licence conditions can be recalled immediately to prison. We have not seen higher than normal recall rates under the SDS40 scheme, and projections on prison capacity remain unchanged.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not provide an assessment of reoffending rates specifically.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q23 Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick
Policing & Resources Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The Justice Committee visited central London county court, which uses paper files for case management.

Question

When will we digitise civil justice to improve efficiency?

Answer from Sarah Sackman

The modernisation of courts and the digitisation programme is a priority. We are looking at ways to increase case progress efficiency and improve case management, working closely with judicial colleagues to ensure progress.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not provide a specific timeline for digitising civil justice.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email