Topical Questions 2020-12-14

2020-12-14

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of Windrush on individuals and their families, referencing a recent announcement.
At this time of year, there is only one person we want sneaking into our houses, and he wears a red suit, so perhaps the Home Secretary will join me in congratulating Thames Valley police on their recent week-long anti-burglary operation, which resulted in 88 arrests. What signal does the compensation scheme send to victims of Windrush?
I thank my hon. Friend for that. He will know the strength of support I have for Thames Valley police force in particular and the exceptional work they have done and do. I commend them for their work, particularly on burglary. I want to wish everybody a happy Christmas, and a safe and secure Christmas to all members of the public.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about joining in congratulating Thames Valley Police was not addressed directly; instead, the answer focused on general support for police forces.
General Support Statement
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The MP references a Home Secretary who was found to have breached the ministerial code for bullying and questions what signal this sends.
I open by thanking the many neighbourhood police officers who did so much work last month visiting schools in support of the vital message of Anti-Bullying Week. I am sure all Members of the House would agree with that message and with teaching the importance of upholding those values, yet we have a Home Secretary in office who has been found to have broken the ministerial code by bullying. What signal does the Home Secretary think that sends to victims of bullying all around the country as to whether they should come forward?
First, as the House will know, I have already made an apology to those I have inadvertently upset, and I have also made it clear that I am now getting on with delivering on the people's priorities.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about sending a signal to victims of bullying was not directly addressed; instead, the answer focused on apologies and moving forward.
Apology
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The MP mentions a Home Secretary who was found to have breached the ministerial code and questions the Government's moral compass in light of violent crime rates, conviction rates, domestic abuse charities' struggles, and chronic failure in addressing the Windrush compensation scheme.
The truth is that the whole episode shows a Government who have lost sight of their moral compass. The Prime Minister's former distinguished adviser on ethics, Sir Alex Allan, found that the Home Secretary had breached the ministerial code for the second time, yet he is the one who loses his job. It sends the most terrible signal to victims in workplaces and schools around the country. Let us be clear: this has happened in the context of chronic failure, with violent crime rocketing across the country, conviction rates at record lows and domestic abuse charities struggling to keep their doors open. Is not the truth under this Government that it is one rule for the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary and their friends, and another for everybody else?
The hon. Gentleman can carry on with his belittling personal attacks, which will actually make me more determined than ever to deliver on the issues that I am focused on and the people's priorities—the people's priorities that got this Government elected a year ago: to deliver 20,000 more police officers and to deliver on the immigration changes that his party still implacably opposes. Let us not forget about the victims of the Windrush compensation scheme.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about two sets of rules was completely avoided; instead, the answer focused on delivering on priorities and criticising Labour's stance on immigration.
Personal Attack Criticizing Opposition
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The MP questions the Labour party's current stance regarding convicted criminals like murderers and rapists being deported.
Does my right hon. Friend know when the Labour party decided to start standing up for the convicted criminals like murderers and rapists that this Government are trying to deport, rather than the victims of crime and law-abiding members of the British public?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Once upon a time, the Labour party claimed that it was tough on crime and the causes of crime, but, quite frankly, this is quite disgraceful. I am sure that his postbag has mirrored mine over recent weeks. The British public are shocked and appalled that the Labour party now stands up for the murderers, the rapists and the sex offenders and is not doing the right thing when it comes to ensuring that foreign national offenders are removed from our country.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about timing of Labour's stance was completely avoided; instead, the answer criticised Labour's current stance on deporting criminals.
Criticizing Opposition
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Richard Holden Con
Basildon and Billericay
Context
The MP references a National Audit Office report stating the Home Office's plan to remove all SIS II data from border systems by December 31st.
I welcome the Windrush announcement; we look forward to seeing the detail. Last week, the National Audit Office report said that the Home Office plans to remove all SIS II—second generation Schengen information system—data from the Warnings Index, Semaphore and Border Crossing systems on 31 December. Can the Home Secretary confirm that that means the Government will be removing or deleting from our border systems the details of more than 40,000 criminals and suspects wanted abroad?
The Chair of the Home Affairs Committee highlights the issue of the ability to share data with our international partners. Obviously, our Interpol relationship predates our SIS II access, and that will provide us with the means to communicate with all our international partners quickly and securely.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about removing or deleting SIS II data was not addressed; instead, the answer focused on sharing data through Interpol.
Discussing Alternatives
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
John Lamont Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Context
The Immigration Minister recently met with the National Farmers Union of Scotland to discuss labour needs.
I believe that the Immigration Minister recently met members of the National Farmers Union of Scotland to discuss the labour needs of Scotland's farmers. Can the Home Secretary update the House on the seasonal workers scheme for 2021?
The Government are looking at and reviewing the needs of the agricultural sector and the seasonal agricultural workers pilot. The Immigration Minister and I are working across Government to meet those needs while getting the balance right for future employment opportunities for British workers in our country.
Assessment & feedback
Specific update on the 2021 scheme not provided
Looking At And Reviewing Working Across Government
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
Recent immigration rule changes by the Home Office are seen as being against the refugee convention.
Why will someone in the Department not have the courage to make a full statement to the House so that MPs can properly scrutinise these drastic changes before they come into force in January?
The Government made changes to our immigration rules to make illegal migration via the channel unviable. These rule changes are part of that effort.
Assessment & feedback
No full statement provided
Made Changes Keeping Drug Classification Under Review
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
There has been a spate of vehicle thefts in High Peak, and local police have recruited additional officers.
Can the Home Secretary assure me that Derbyshire will get its fair share of those extra officers as soon as possible?
The hon. Friend's police force has recruited 72 additional police officers and the number is going to go up in line with the commitment to recruit 20,000 more police officers.
Assessment & feedback
No specific assurance given for Derbyshire
Recruited 72 Additional Officers Commitment To Recruit 20,000 More
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
Psychoactive substances like Monkey Dust have had a damaging effect on communities.
Will my right hon. Friend agree to consider the reclassification of psychoactive substances such as Monkey Dust?
The Government recognise the corrosive harm that these drugs do and are keeping drug classification under review.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment to reclassification
Corrosive Harm Keeping Drug Classification Under Review
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Alex Davies-Jones Lab
Pontypridd
Context
Funding to manage and change the behaviour of abusive perpetrators has been allocated but must be spent by March 2021.
What plans do the Government have to keep holding perpetrators' feet to the fire with projects for the long term?
We are clear that we want to continue tackling this abusive behaviour, but spending review allocation decisions need to be made at the moment.
Assessment & feedback
No specific long-term plans mentioned
Want To Continue Tackling Spending Review
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Kevin Hollinrake Con
Thirsk and Malton
Context
The emergency services network being delivered by EE is behind schedule and over budget.
Is there anything the Home Secretary can do to bring that back on track?
The programme is incredible late on delivery and well over budget. We are working with police forces now to get this plan implemented, but too much time has passed and too much money has been lost and wasted.
Assessment & feedback
No concrete steps mentioned
Working With Police Forces Fixing The Procurement Issues
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Dan Jarvis Lab
Barnsley North
Context
Eight Commonwealth-born British Army veterans lost their legal battle and fear deportation.
Will she now commit to granting the veterans the right to stay in the country they so bravely fought for?
I am currently working with the Secretary of State for Defence on these cases; we are both looking at this and future announcements will be made. However, I want to correct this treatment of these individuals.
Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment given
Working With The Secretary Of State Correcting The Treatment
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The MP discusses the Home Office's poor performance, specifically referencing the Windrush scandal and its impact on claimants and MPs.
I welcome the Windrush announcement, but the Windrush scandal was just the most extreme example of the indifference and rank incompetence endemic in today's Home Office. Delays and charges are escalating, documents are not returned and often lost, and correspondence takes forever—whether to claimants or, indeed, to their Members of Parliament.
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his comments. He mentioned Windrush and the Department's inefficiencies of the past, and there are a couple of points that I want to make. Windrush was a stain—let us face it—on the Department and the Government, and we are now working through that; we want to right the wrongs. I hear what the right hon. Gentleman is saying.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about addressing public priorities and improving departmental efficiency was not directly answered with concrete actions or timelines.
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
The MP raises concerns about the increasing number of catalytic converter thefts, which cause distress and disruption to victims.
There has been a spate of catalytic converter thefts in Coventry, with more and more vehicles being targeted by thieves. These crimes cause distress and disruption to victims. Will the Home Secretary tell me what steps the Government can take in conjunction with the motor industry and other partner agencies to reduce the theft of catalytic converters, which seems to be a growing problem?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right. Of course, the long-term answer is to work with the industry, as we are doing, to design out many of those problems and issues. That is about the changing nature of vehicles. The fact of the matter is, as we have already heard from colleagues, that the theft of vehicles or catalytic converters is damaging and blights people's lives.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about concrete measures was not directly answered with clear steps or actions.
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
The MP expresses concern about the potential workforce shortage for daffodil growers due to delays in rolling out the seasonal agricultural workers scheme.
There is great concern in the far south-west that daffodil growers will not be able to access the workforce they need to pick this year's crop. The peak of the season is literally days away. We welcome the successful pilot of the seasonal agricultural workers scheme, but there is concern that it will not be in place quickly enough or that it will not provide enough staff for flower pickers this winter.
I recognise the importance of the issue. We are looking to continue the seasonal workers pilot into 2021. As the Home Secretary said a few moments ago, we will confirm the numbers shortly, but it is worth remembering that the restrictions on international travel may well affect the number who actually travel, as they did this year.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about when the scheme would be fully rolled out was not directly answered with a clear timeline or commitment.
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Mary Foy Lab
City of Durham
Context
The MP discusses the importance of extending post-study work visas to compete with other countries offering longer post-graduation work visas.
Highly talented students are often attracted to our universities in the hope that their degree leads to enhanced employability in the UK, yet competitor countries such as Canada and Australia offer longer, and therefore more attractive, post-graduation work visas. Will the Government help our universities to remain competitive by further extending the post-study work visa to three or four years for undergraduate and masters students?
The hon. Lady has rightly highlighted how incredible, fantastic and outstanding our universities are in this country. We are in a global competition when it comes to international talent, and the Government fully recognise that. That is why we now have the two-year post-study visa route.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about extending the post-study work visa was not directly answered with a clear commitment or timeline.
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Ruth Jones Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Context
The MP asks about the Government's plans to convene engagement events with at-risk communities to address hate crime.
As the Home Secretary knows, Newport West is a diverse and multicultural part of south Wales. My constituent and I want to know what plans she and her colleagues across Government have to convene engagement events with at-risk communities? Those are the very people we need to be involved in putting together a fully costed plan to tackle hate crime online and in person once and for all.
The hon. Lady is absolutely right to raise the issue of online crime, online abuse and hate crime. Frankly, appalling and personal attacks are now prevalent across society. Associated with that, we have a wide range of engagement taking place, not just with our Department but with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about engaging with at-risk communities was not directly answered with concrete plans or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Carolyn Harris Lab
Neath and Swansea East
Context
The MP raises concerns about the expiration of the rail to refuge scheme, which supports victims of domestic abuse.
The rail to refuge scheme run by the train operators is highly successful in supporting victims of domestic abuse and their children, but it will expire in March 2021. Will the Government please look at reviewing the scheme to ensure that they protect all victims?
This is a really interesting scheme. As the hon. Lady knows, it was launched in March and, since then, on average four people a day have used it. I understand that early in 2021 the Department for Transport will review its continuation beyond March.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about reviewing the scheme beyond March was not directly answered with a clear commitment or timeline.
Response accuracy