Topical Questions 2026-06-30

2026-06-30

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Luke Evans Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Context
The Fuller inquiry called for stronger safeguards against domestic homicides. Recent reports from Nottingham hospital detailed abuses, including mislabelled bodies left to decompose.
One in five homicides are domestic homicides with women overwhelmingly the victims. The Fuller inquiry called for a strengthening of safeguards and law but recent reports from Nottingham hospital described some of the abuses that have taken place—bodies mislabelled or even left decomposing. Does the Secretary of State share my fear this could be a pattern across the system, and will he look into this to ensure it is not?
The hon. Gentleman is entirely right, what we have heard is devastating—absolutely horrific. I will discuss this issue with the Health Secretary as his Department has responsibility for human tissue while our department has responsibility for the coroner service and the law regarding death, and we will work together on this issue.
Assessment & feedback
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Luke Evans Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Context
Afzaal Hussain, a local resident, was awarded for his community work in removing over 1500 knives from streets and addressing underlying causes of knife crime.
This month I was delighted to award my community champion award to Afzaal Hussain. After his best friend was stabbed and died in 2021, he set up In This Together Bucks, which has removed more than 1500 knives from the streets while also addressing underlying causes of knife crime through mentoring, mediation and support for families. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Afzaal on his work, and does he agree that organisations such as his in our communities are vital to tackling knife crime?
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend's constituent Afzaal Hussain for the work he does alongside Adele Webb. My hon. Friend is absolutely right, it is so important that the Government and wider society work together to do anything we can to reduce knife crime.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Laura Kyrke-Smith Lab
Aylesbury
Context
The Government referred the sentences of teenage gang rapists as unduly lenient, but the Bar Council recommends increasing the age to 14.
Mr Speaker, you will be alarmed to know that one in seven NHS staff experienced a physical attack while on shift last year. Our paramedics, doctors, nurses, police officers and firefighters go to work every day to save lives, yet they face unimaginable abuse. We have to clamp down on those who perpetrate these vile attacks. Will the Secretary of State commit to reviewing sentencing guidelines for such heinous crimes?
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question, but when the Bar Council do a detailed piece of work, it is the responsibility of the Secretary of State to look closely at what it has recommended. That is what I will do in the coming months.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to review sentencing guidelines for such crimes
Under Consideration
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Nick Timothy Con
West Suffolk
Context
One in seven NHS staff experienced a physical attack while on shift last year. These attacks are unimaginable abuses against those who save lives daily.
Mr Speaker, you will be alarmed to know that one in seven NHS staff experienced a physical attack while on shift last year. Our paramedics, doctors, nurses, police officers and firefighters go to work every day to save lives, yet they face unimaginable abuse. We have to clamp down on those who perpetrate these vile attacks. Will the Secretary of State commit to reviewing sentencing guidelines for such heinous crimes?
That is an absolutely shocking figure, and I pay tribute to all NHS staff and frontline public service workers. I meet the chair of the Sentencing Council regularly to discuss issues, and I will raise this one with her as well.
Assessment & feedback
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
A US air force officer was accused of drugging, strangling and raping a British woman. The case was tried by US court martial despite occurring on English soil.
The Guardian reported last week on the case of a US air force officer accused of drugging, strangling and raping a British woman in his apartment. Although the incident took place off duty, off base and on English soil, the case was removed from the jurisdiction of the English courts and was instead tried by US court martial at RAF Lakenheath, with an all-male panel who were all from his base. Does the Secretary of State agree that victims of crimes on English soil should see justice served in our justice system?
Halving violence against women and girls is a decade-long mission for this Government. That case is extremely concerning, and our thoughts are with the victim Sarah. Given the cross-agency nature of this case, my officials are working across Government to establish the full facts.
Assessment & feedback
Under Consideration
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Jessica Brown-Fuller Lib Dem
Chichester
Context
A constituent of Samantha Niblett, Sarah Page, is an associate professor for social justice who highlighted the unique challenges women prisoners face.
My constituent in South Derbyshire, Sarah Page, is associate professor for social justice at University of Staffordshire, which I visited last week. She and her colleagues told me about their “From Harm to Hope” research highlighting the unique challenges that women prisoners face, including being held far from family due to limited number of women's prisons. They also raised concerns that national drug strategy is not sufficiently gender-sensitive in addressing impact of child abuse and domestic abuse on women in criminal justice system. Will my hon. Friend meet me, Sarah and her colleagues to ensure these women-specific issues are properly reflected in our criminal justice system?
I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend and her constituent. Lord Timpson set up Women's Justice Board which is considering issues with women estate, we determined bring down population of women prisoners where it safe do so.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem
Bath
Context
Hundreds of women are secretly filmed on nights out and the clips are posted online with misogynistic comments. These videos attract millions of views, often for profit.
Hundreds of women are secretly filmed on nights out. The clips are then put online, accompanied by horrible, misogynistic comments. They are viewed millions of times, often to make a profit. What steps is the Department taking to close the current gaps in legislation and stop this vile abuse of women on nights out?
Non-consensual intimate images, and the kinds of images that the hon. Lady talks about, are absolutely disgusting. This Government have taken action to ensure that they will be taken down within 48 hours, as well as our banning of deepfakes.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address legislative gaps or specific steps beyond mentioning actions to remove images and ban deepfakes.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Amanda Martin Lab
Portsmouth North
Context
A constituent approached the MP fearing she would have to return to her abusive ex-partner due to lack of safe accommodation options. Local council initially offered a flat in an area known to the abuser.
Recently, a domestic abuse victim came to my office. She was scared and considering returning to her abusive ex-partner because she had nowhere else to go. I intervened, and Portsmouth city council found her a flat, but it was in an area known to be regularly frequented by her abuser. When she raised this with the council, it said that if she did not accept the property, it would withdraw its support. I intervened again, and the council agreed to find her somewhere else to live, but she is still waiting for a safe place. What steps is the Minister taking to join up support across national and local government, so that domestic abuse victims do not fall through the cracks?
I thank my hon. Friend for all her actions to support her constituent. Local authorities in England are legally required to assess and address the need for safe accommodation for domestic abuse victims who need to flee their home.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify steps being taken by the government to join up national and local efforts, only restated legal requirement of councils.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Edward Leigh Con
Gainsborough
Context
The MP is concerned about the current plans to change the threshold for jury trials which he believes will undermine centuries-old rights of English people.
The Secretary of State knows how fond I am of him personally, and I want him to keep his job, so will he please his new boss—the right hon. Member for Makerfield (Andy Burnham)—virtually the entire legal establishment and the English people, whose only wish is to keep their 1,000-year-old right to trial by a jury of their peers when their liberty is at stake?
I am very grateful to the Father of the House. He may not have noticed, but he made me blush. He knows that the right to a fair trial, and the component of it that requires a jury, is an important right, and we are not abolishing it, but we are seeking to bring down the backlog, so that people can get swift justice.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address any changes or reforms proposed, only mentioned maintaining the right while addressing backlogs.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Leigh Ingham Lab
Stafford
Context
The Government has invested £500 million in victims' support services, and the MP's local organisation, Staffordshire Women's Aid, supports survivors of violence with high public return on investment.
I welcome the Government's £500 million of investment in victims' services, which is a serious investment after years of neglect. In my constituency, Staffordshire Women's Aid has been supporting survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence for 50 years. For every £1 spent on victims' support services, £10.80 is returned to the public purse. What steps are being taken to ensure that brilliant local organisations, such as Staffordshire Women's Aid, can access this funding, so that no area falls into the gaps?
I have met victims and survivors supported by Women's Aid in other parts of the country who have been able to rebuild their life, and it is inspiring that Staffordshire Women's Aid has been supporting survivors for 50 years. The Staffordshire police and crime commissioner is receiving over £4.5 million over the next two years for victims' support services.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify steps to ensure local organizations access funding, only mentioned general funding available.
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Bradley Thomas Con
Bromsgrove
Context
Magistrates in Worcestershire face increased pressures and difficulties attracting volunteers for the role.
Magistrates are the backbone of the justice system, yet magistrates in Worcestershire increasingly talk to me about the pressures on their workload and the difficulty of attracting new volunteers. What steps are the Government taking to increase the attractiveness of the magistracy?
I agree with the hon. Gentleman that our magistrates are the backbone of our justice system. I meet magistrates from across the length and breadth of the land, and I have met the Magistrates Association. We have to make being a magistrate more attractive.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specifics on actions or steps taken to increase attractiveness.
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Jo White Lab
Bassetlaw
Context
Ranby Prison in the MP's constituency has a car park across a busy road, and on December 1st last year, prison officer Phillip Tetley was killed crossing the road to get to work.
Ranby Prison in my constituency is undergoing a £70 million expansion. The main prison car park is across the very busy A620 road. On 1 December last year, prison officer Phillip Tetley was knocked down and killed as he crossed the road to get to work. He leaves behind his wife Eve and seven children. Eve Tetley is campaigning for a crossing to prevent such an awful accident happening again. Will the Minister meet me and Eve to discuss this further?
I thank my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour. My thoughts are of course with the family of Phillip Tetley, and with Eve in particular. I know that stretch of road very well, as it is on my commute to Retford station, and I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend and Eve to see if I can do anything to help.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Zöe Franklin Lib Dem
Guildford
Context
A constituent was repeatedly sexually abused by a family member who received multiple prison sentences and is now living in the Netherlands, raising fears about his returning to the UK.
My constituent was repeatedly sexually abused by a family member. He received four concurrent 28-year prison sentences but has since been transferred to the Netherlands where he was immediately released. She lives in fear of him carrying out threats made during trial. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this case and review international prisoner transfer arrangements?
I am happy to meet with the hon. Member and her constituent. We are working on a memorandum of understanding with Latvia, Italy, and we are speaking with officials in the Netherlands to pursue similar agreements.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to reviewing international prisoner transfer arrangements specifically mentioned by the questioner.
Working On Agreements But No Specific Commitment
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Jacob Collier Lab
Burton and Uttoxeter
Context
Street Whyze was established after a tragic stabbing incident in 2021 to prevent youth knife crime.
Street Whyze undertakes targeted work with young people to prevent knife crime, following the stabbing of Oliver Freckleton. Can the Minister say how such programmes will be used under the new cross-Government knife crime strategy?
Our plan seeks to give young people a better start, prevent knife carrying and youth offending, and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. I have been meeting community groups to see this work in action.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specifics on utilising existing programmes like Street Whyze under the new plan.
Broad Statements About Plans
Response accuracy
Q15 Direct Answer
Chris Coghlan Lib Dem
Dorking and Horley
Context
A constituent's children were sexually assaulted by their father, with court proceedings influenced by discredited parental alienation syndrome.
My constituent's ex-husband sexually abused her children and attempted to murder them. However, the court prioritised parental alienation syndrome, a concept discredited by WHO, allowing him unsupervised access. What steps will the Government take to prevent such concepts from obstructing criminal justice?
The concept of parental alienation syndrome is not supported by evidence and has been discredited. We are working with the Family Procedure Rule Committee to limit the instruction of unregulated experts, including those advocating this concept.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Alex Davies-Jones Lab
Pontypridd
Context
Campaigners have met seven Lord Chancellors, with the Deputy Prime Minister being the first to commit to changing disparity in sentences for domestic homicides.
Carole, Julie and Elaine campaigned tirelessly following their daughters' murders. The Deputy Prime Minister is the first to commit to this change. Can I implore him to implement it as soon as possible?
We were moved by the families' stories and are committed to addressing this issue. We met these families, and I am grateful for the campaigning on this matter.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline or action for implementing sentencing changes.
Acknowledged Importance But No Concrete Steps
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Stuart Anderson Con
South Shropshire
Context
A child sex offender was released into a village near a school in the constituency, with local residents expressing concern.
A high-profile child sex offender was released into my constituency. I have written to the Deputy Prime Minister over three months ago about this issue but received no meeting or action.
We are investing in the Probation Service to manage such cases properly, including reducing caseloads. I will investigate and provide an update.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address why a meeting was refused or acknowledge concern directly.
Acknowledged Investment But No Meeting
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Jayne Kirkham Lab Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Context
A constituent experienced deepfake-related online abuse, leading to legal barriers in obtaining divorce and further legal aid.
One of my constituents suffered horrific abuse including deepfakes. She tried to divorce her abuser but could not access legal aid due to his bail conditions. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this issue?
I will meet my hon. Friend about this case and look into it further, ensuring we support victims of domestic abuse.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific issue of legal aid access under bail conditions directly.
Agreed To Discuss Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Olly Glover Lib Dem
Didcot and Wantage
Context
A constituent received a disappointing offer of compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority after a two-and-a-half-year delay following an attack that led to long-term health difficulties. It took an appeal and intervention for fair compensation.
Following an attack leading to long-term mental and physical health difficulties, a constituent received a disappointing offer of compensation from CICA after a two-and-a-half-year delay. With my intervention, she finally got fair compensation. What steps will the Minister take to ensure victims receive good service when applying for criminal injury compensation?
Applicants for criminal injury compensation have often endured horrific, traumatic experiences. Last year, over £164 million in compensation was paid to victims of violent crime, and two thirds of new applications were decided within 12 months. CICA is working to improve the experience of applicants and modernise its systems.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete steps or timeline for improving service
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Brian Leishman Lab
Alloa and Grangemouth
Context
68 is considered too late for prison officers to retire, affecting their ability to enjoy later life after a career serving the public.
Mr Speaker, 68 is far too late. When will prison officers achieve a fair, just and—crucially—lower retirement age?
I thank my hon. Friend for his continued championing of this cause. We regularly meet the Prison Officers' Association and continue to do so. Prison officers do incredible work every day, up and down the country.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address retirement age directly; spoke generally about meetings with POA
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Edward Argar Con
Melton and Syston
Context
In their 2024 manifesto, the Government promised to set up specialist rape courts in every Crown court location. Two years on, the implementation is overdue.
In their 2024 manifesto, the Government made a promise to set up specialist rape courts in every Crown court location. Two years on, how many have been set up?
We are two years in, and I assure the right hon. Gentleman that we will come forward with announcements in that area shortly.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a number or timeline for court establishment
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Emma Lewell Lab
South Shields
Context
A stalker was deported but returned to the UK without monitoring, leading to a relapse in stalking behavior. The current system means he will be released early with no active probation supervision.
The stalker of my constituent Sophie Hall was arrested and deported. Post deportation, there was no monitoring at all; stalking resumed, and he is now back in prison. Under the Government's progression model, he will again not be subject to active probation supervision. How can we keep Sophie safe?
I met my hon. Friend and Sophie at the end of last year, and as a result of that meeting, we made changes to guidance on deportation of offenders. I will meet her and Sophie expeditiously.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific measures for Sophie's safety
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Sarah Gibson Lib Dem
Chippenham
Context
Carole Gould and Julie Devey from the action group Killed Women have campaigned persistently to get changes to sentencing for domestic abuse.
Will the Minister join me in thanking and paying tribute to Carole Gould and Julie Devey, who are constituents of mine and my hon. Friend (Anna Sabine). Will he pay tribute to their dedication, persistence, and courage in trying to get changes to sentencing for domestic abuse?
As a father of a daughter, I pay tribute to the constituents mentioned for their doughty campaign over many years. There will be women out there now whose lives will be saved as a result of the sentence that perpetrators of this terrible crime face.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any action or commitment related to sentencing changes
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Gordon McKee Lab
Glasgow South
Context
There is potential for international best practices, like Estonia's approach to justice technology, to be learned and applied to improve the UK's system.
What work is the Department doing to learn from international best practice—for example, in Estonia—when it comes to using technology in the justice system to help deliver swifter justice for victims?
When I moved to this Department, I was pleased to see the work on digital and artificial intelligence. The Department is a Whitehall leader; for example, we are freeing up probation staff from bureaucracy.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific initiatives or concrete steps taken by the department
Response accuracy