Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Ashley Fox Excerpts
Wednesday 9th July 2025

(2 days, 16 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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My hon. Friend is right to highlight this issue. In March, we saw a major crackdown against criminals using high street businesses to launder money at almost 400 properties, which involved securing freezing orders over bank accounts totalling more than £1 million and arresting 35 individuals. There is much more to come, and I thank her for highlighting this really important issue.

Ashley Fox Portrait Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater) (Con)
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Q12. The Prime Minister was elected on a promise to smash the gangs. He said he would reduce small boat crossings. He said he would close asylum hotels. Why are all these issues going wrong?

Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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We are fixing the problem that they—[Interruption.] The Conservatives said they would take control of the borders and they lost it. We are working hard with our allies. We want to bring forward more powers for law enforcement on our borders, through our borders Bill, to give them the powers they need to take on the job and deal with the problem. And what did the Conservatives do? They voted against it—a confected argument.