Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the National Inquiry, how she will ensure the survivors of group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse are supported throughout the process.
Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
We remain committed to delivering an inquiry that earns trust and delivers truth. Following the appointment of the Chair and the establishment of the Inquiry, the Chair will consult on the Terms of Reference with victims and survivors and other key stakeholders before agreeing a final version with the Home Secretary. The inquiry will then begin considering evidence and data to select the first local areas for investigations.
We are moving at pace, but we will not compromise rigour for speed. This is a complex and sensitive process, and we are not setting arbitrary deadlines – we are focused on getting it right. We will provide public updates when it is appropriate to do so.
The inquiry is expected to operate over a two to three-year period which will maximise the number of areas it can examine, while remaining time-limited so that victims and survivors receive answers swiftly.
The Government recognises the devastating impacts that child sexual exploitation and abuse can have on victims and survivors and is committed to ensuring that all victims and survivors receive better care and support.
As set out in the Government’s Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Progress Update in April, we are working across government to develop ambitious proposals to improve therapeutic support services for victims of child sexual abuse. Government committed in that update to double funding and invest an additional £1.6 million for adult victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. The Home Office continues to fund voluntary organisations providing nationally accessible services to support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, investing £2.59 million this year to seven organisations through the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (SVSCSA) fund.
We also recognise the importance of ensuring that all staff supporting victims have sufficient guidance on child sexual abuse to deliver effective trauma informed support. The Government is providing funding to the independent Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse to strengthen professional responses to child sexual abuse through evidence-based training and resources.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the National Inquiry into Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse will (a) conclude and (b) publish its findings.
Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
We remain committed to delivering an inquiry that earns trust and delivers truth. Following the appointment of the Chair and the establishment of the Inquiry, the Chair will consult on the Terms of Reference with victims and survivors and other key stakeholders before agreeing a final version with the Home Secretary. The inquiry will then begin considering evidence and data to select the first local areas for investigations.
We are moving at pace, but we will not compromise rigour for speed. This is a complex and sensitive process, and we are not setting arbitrary deadlines – we are focused on getting it right. We will provide public updates when it is appropriate to do so.
The inquiry is expected to operate over a two to three-year period which will maximise the number of areas it can examine, while remaining time-limited so that victims and survivors receive answers swiftly.
The Government recognises the devastating impacts that child sexual exploitation and abuse can have on victims and survivors and is committed to ensuring that all victims and survivors receive better care and support.
As set out in the Government’s Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Progress Update in April, we are working across government to develop ambitious proposals to improve therapeutic support services for victims of child sexual abuse. Government committed in that update to double funding and invest an additional £1.6 million for adult victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. The Home Office continues to fund voluntary organisations providing nationally accessible services to support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, investing £2.59 million this year to seven organisations through the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (SVSCSA) fund.
We also recognise the importance of ensuring that all staff supporting victims have sufficient guidance on child sexual abuse to deliver effective trauma informed support. The Government is providing funding to the independent Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse to strengthen professional responses to child sexual abuse through evidence-based training and resources.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the National Inquiry into Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse will start to conduct (a) hearings and (b) local investigations.
Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
We remain committed to delivering an inquiry that earns trust and delivers truth. Following the appointment of the Chair and the establishment of the Inquiry, the Chair will consult on the Terms of Reference with victims and survivors and other key stakeholders before agreeing a final version with the Home Secretary. The inquiry will then begin considering evidence and data to select the first local areas for investigations.
We are moving at pace, but we will not compromise rigour for speed. This is a complex and sensitive process, and we are not setting arbitrary deadlines – we are focused on getting it right. We will provide public updates when it is appropriate to do so.
The inquiry is expected to operate over a two to three-year period which will maximise the number of areas it can examine, while remaining time-limited so that victims and survivors receive answers swiftly.
The Government recognises the devastating impacts that child sexual exploitation and abuse can have on victims and survivors and is committed to ensuring that all victims and survivors receive better care and support.
As set out in the Government’s Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Progress Update in April, we are working across government to develop ambitious proposals to improve therapeutic support services for victims of child sexual abuse. Government committed in that update to double funding and invest an additional £1.6 million for adult victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. The Home Office continues to fund voluntary organisations providing nationally accessible services to support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, investing £2.59 million this year to seven organisations through the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (SVSCSA) fund.
We also recognise the importance of ensuring that all staff supporting victims have sufficient guidance on child sexual abuse to deliver effective trauma informed support. The Government is providing funding to the independent Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse to strengthen professional responses to child sexual abuse through evidence-based training and resources.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to introduce a nationwide policing strategy to prevent the theft of materials from charging stations.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Theft, including the theft of cables is a serious issue. This Government recognises the distress and disruption that theft and vandalism can cause, not only to businesses, but also to local communities and critical infrastructure.
The Home Office provided initial funding to establish the National Infrastructure Crime Reduction Partnership. The Partnership ensures national co-ordination of policing and law enforcement partners to tackle metal theft. It also provides training to police officers to help with tackling metal theft, and facilitates data and intelligence sharing to partners to target offenders and implement crime prevention measures.
The Home Office will also continue to support the extensive work undertaken by the British Transport Police in partnership with organisations such as Network Rail to further improve the enforcement response to metal theft. This includes supporting the Metal Crime Steering Group led by the National Police Chiefs Council lead for metal theft, Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle, whose aim is to disrupt those involved in this area of crime.
The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 was introduced to reduce metal theft by strengthening regulation of the scrap metal industry. Enforcement of the Act is key to reducing metal theft. Following the introduction of the Act, there was an overall downward trend in metal-related theft offences. The latest figures for the year ending March 2024 are 64% lower than in the previous year.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review the Government's guidance on police use of water cannons.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Home Office does not issue guidance on police use of water cannons.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate she has made of the number of people without work visas who are working in the building sector.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Home Office does not have an estimate of the number of people working illegally specifically on app-based work platforms.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Home Office:
[EU edit] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the updated harms assessment by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on nitrous oxide, published on 7 March 2023, when she plans to respond to its findings; what assessment she has made of the potential merits of specifically proscribing nitrous oxide; and whether it is her policy to support the other recommendations in that report.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) published their report on nitrous oxide on 6 March, setting out the evidence as it currently stands and made seven recommendations.
The Government will consider the ACMD advice carefully along with any other available evidence, as appropriate, and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration she has given to using the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 to ban the misuse of nitrous oxide.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
On 3 September 2021, the Government asked the independent statutory advisory body, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), to provide an updated assessment of the harms of nitrous oxide, including advice on whether it should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The ACMD is independent of Government and can provide a broad range of recommendations, including advice on regulatory or legislative changes. The Government will consider the ACMD advice carefully along with any other evidence, including that relating to any potential legislative or regulatory options beyond control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, as appropriate, before deciding how to proceed.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the judicial reviews brought by Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Authority against their proposed merger, what steps she is taking to ensure that legal processes do not prevent the delivery of future efficient and safe mergers.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
In March 2020, the Court of Appeal refused permission for the FRAs in West Mercia to appeal the High Court’s judgment on the transfer of fire governance to the PCC for West Mercia, bringing to end the judicial review. Further JR proceedings have now become redundant in light of current developments.
It is disappointing that lengthy legal action by the FRAs in West Mercia has meant that we have not yet been able to implement a transfer of governance that we considered to be in the interest of the local community.
We remain strongly committed to supporting PCCs to take on fire governance where a case exists, and I look forward to reviewing any updated proposal the newly elected PCC may decide to bring forward after the elections. We will be working with the sector in the meantime to consider the lessons learned from this process.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of not proceeding with the proposed merger of West Mercia Police Authority with Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
In July 2019, the High Court upheld the then Home Secretary’s (Amber Rudd MP) decision of March 2018 to transfer governance of Hereford and Worcester and Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Service to the PCC for West Mercia. The Court of appeal has refused permission for the FRAs to appeal the judgement
However, given the time that has passed and developments since the business case was originally submitted in October 2017, it is right that we reconsider whether the case still meets the statutory tests. The Minister for Crime and Policing has written to PCC John Campion to explain that we will require an updated business case.
It is for the PCC and Fire and Rescue Authorities to consider whether to publish information they hold relating to the proposal, although I am aware that some of this is currently available through their websites.