🛡️ Oral Answers to Questions

• Consumer Protection Against Fraud:
  • The government is addressing the issue of fraud, which affects many lives, through an expanded fraud strategy as promised in their manifesto.
  • They are collaborating with law enforcement and industry to enhance public protection and urging technology companies to increase efforts to prevent fraud on their platforms.
  • A significant concern raised was about overseas scams, particularly affecting the Hendon constituency, with one constituent losing £40,000. The government is engaging with tech firms and discussing international cooperation to tackle this.
• Indefinite Leave to Remain:
  • The government views UK settlement as a privilege and is reviewing policies to manage immigration and reduce net migration.
  • A report suggested a high future cost for granting indefinite leave to remain to migrants, prompting discussions on potentially extending the qualifying period.
  • Concerns were raised about the integration of refugees, particularly those unable to return home due to danger, with calls for better support to help them contribute to UK society.
• Tackling Antisocial Behaviour:
  • The government aims to combat the rise in antisocial behaviour over the past decade by increasing neighbourhood policing and introducing new powers in a forthcoming crime and policing Bill.
  • Specific issues discussed included the disruptive use of off-road bikes in communities like Stoke-on-Trent and the menace of speeding e-bikes and e-scooters in city centres.
  • The government committed to increasing police presence in communities with an additional £200 million investment and promotes working with local councils and police to address antisocial behaviour effectively.
• Domestic Abuse Support:
  • Efforts are being made to improve the response to domestic abuse, including embedding specialists in police control rooms under “Raneem’s law”.
  • A proposed bill to provide safe leave for victims of domestic abuse was mentioned, with intentions to discuss its implications with relevant departments.
  • The government is preparing to publish a strategy to combat violence against women and girls, which will consider recommendations from a recent National Audit Office report.
• Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking:
  • The government is working with law enforcement to target those involved in sexual exploitation and trafficking, with new initiatives under the Online Safety Act to hold online platforms accountable.
  • There was a call for action against websites that enable or profit from prostitution, leading to discussions on updating laws to criminalize such activities online.
  • The government is addressing the backlog of court cases to ensure timely justice for victims of serious crimes, including sexual trafficking and exploitation.
• Drug Dealing in Rural Areas:
  • Through the county lines programme, the government aims to dismantle drug dealing gangs, including those affecting rural communities.
  • Concerns were raised about young people and vulnerable adults being exploited by drug dealers, prompting assurances that resources would be directed to support these areas.
• Police Funding:
  • Gloucestershire constabulary will receive an increase in funding, part of a £1.1 billion boost to policing across England and Wales, to support neighbourhood policing initiatives.
  • Concerns about historical underfunding affecting police numbers were raised, with the government noting a spending review to assess and adjust funding formulas.
• Counter-terrorism Efforts:
  • In response to recent terror attacks, the government is working with international partners to counter terrorism threats, particularly from Islamist extremism.
  • New youth diversion orders will be introduced to prevent young people from being drawn into terrorism, acknowledging the threats from both Islamist and extreme right-wing ideologies.
• Retail Crime Reduction:
  • The government plans to introduce a new offence for assaulting retail workers and eliminate the low-value threshold for prosecuting shop thefts.
  • Collaborative efforts with police and communities are being promoted to tackle retail crime, with an emphasis on ensuring a visible police presence to deter crime.
• Reducing Asylum Seeker Hotel Use:
  • Efforts are underway to reduce the reliance on hotels for asylum seekers, aiming to clear the asylum backlog and increase the number of returns.
  • The government inherited a high cost and usage of hotels from the previous administration and is working to implement more sustainable accommodation solutions.
• Phone Theft Measures:
  • Collaborative meetings have been held with law enforcement and the mobile phone industry to address the growing issue of phone theft and dismantle associated criminal networks.
  • Discussions are ongoing regarding potential custodial sentences for repeat offenders, acknowledging the spread of phone thefts beyond urban areas.
• Hostile State Threats:
  • The National Security Act 2023 is being implemented to strengthen defenses against hostile state actions, including targeted engagement with the security industry.
  • The government is working across departments and with operational agencies to address a wide range of threats, including those from paramilitary groups.
• Other Notable Points:
  • New laws are being introduced to combat knife crime, including “Ronan’s law” to tighten online sales of weapons.
  • Efforts to promote positive role models in schools and colleges to challenge violence against women and girls are being coordinated with the Department for Education.
  • The government is committed to addressing disparities in asylum seeker accommodations and ensuring fair distribution across regions.

These points summarize the key areas of discussion during the parliamentary session, focusing on public safety, support for victims, and the management of immigration and asylum policies.

The session exhibits moderate levels of disagreement, particularly centered around issues related to immigration and asylum policy, police funding, and the effectiveness of previous government actions. The disagreements are often framed in the context of criticizing the previous government’s policies and actions, but they do not escalate to full-blown confrontations or personal attacks. Here are key examples and explanations:

1. Immigration and Asylum Policy:
   • In the question about indefinite leave to remain, there is a clear disagreement on the merits of extending the qualifying period. The opposition, represented by Mike Wood and Katie Lam, criticizes the current policy based on financial costs, with numbers like £234 billion being cited. Seema Malhotra responds by criticizing the previous government’s handling of immigration, pointing out an increase in net migration and settlement grants under their rule. This exchange reflects policy disagreement but remains within the bounds of parliamentary debate.
2. Police Funding and Effectiveness:
   • Discussions on police funding, particularly during topical questions, demonstrate disagreement. For example, Greg Smith from the Conservative Party questions funding allocations for Thames Valley Police, while Yvette Cooper counters by pointing out the increased funding under the current government and faults the previous government for not addressing these issues. This reflects disagreement on funding distribution but is stated in a factual manner.
3. Effectiveness of Legislation and Policies:
   • In the section about retail crime, Ruth Cadbury and Sally Jameson highlight the increase in shop thefts and violence towards retail workers, implicitly challenging the effectiveness of current measures. Dame Diana Johnson responds by acknowledging the issue and outlining new measures such as a standalone crime for assaulting a retail worker, showing disagreement on previous actions but an intention to address the concern.
4. Response to Specific Incidents and Policy Directions:
   • Chris Philp and Yvette Cooper discuss the effectiveness of border security policies, particularly the increase in illegal crossings and the effectiveness of the Rwanda policy. Cooper criticizes the previous government’s handling and achievements, while Philp contests her portrayal of the Rwanda policy’s status. The disagreement is clear but remains professional and centered on policy critique.

• Overall Tone and Nature of Disagreements: The session’s disagreements are largely on policy issues and the critique of past versus current government actions. While opposition members question the current government’s approach and point to failures, the exchanges are typically without personal insults and do not lead to significant disruption or heated arguments. This level of disagreement can be graded as moderate, hence a rating of 2.