Violent Crime Young People 2020-02-10
2020-02-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Edward Timpson highlights the link between school exclusion and involvement in violent crime.
Children excluded from school are twice as likely to carry a knife. A quarter of young offenders who are serving a custodial sentence of less than 12 months have a history of permanent exclusion. To help turn around the life chances of these children, will my hon. Friend take up the recommendations in my report on school exclusion, published last year, which are aimed at taking a public health approach to crime and tackling the root causes, not just the symptoms, of school disengagement?
I thank my hon. Friend for his meticulous work in his report. He will know that the Prime Minister is taking charge of our response to serious violence, and is indeed holding a Cabinet Sub-Committee on this imminently. I agree that we must tackle the root causes of serious violence. That is precisely why we are bringing forward the serious violence Bill to place a duty on the agencies that can help to address it.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities programme recovers money under the Proceeds of Crime Act and distributes it to youth projects in Scotland.
A payment of £19 million is about to be made by the CashBack for Communities scheme, recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. This brings total payments to more than £110 million since the programme began in 2008. Will the Minister join me in welcoming this as something that can deliver real opportunity for young people in Scotland?
As always, I will work with and commend anyone who is joining the Government's determination to cut down on violent crime and protect our young people.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy