Asked by: Michael Fallon (Conservative - Sevenoaks)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to maintain police officer numbers in England in 2018-19; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Nick Hurd
The Government has protected police spending since 2015. Since then, Po-lice and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have received broadly flat cash direct resource funding and we are increasing investment in transformation and improved communications and technology capabilities.
We know that crime is changing, and we are sensitive to current pressures on policing. That is why I have undertaken a programme of engagement with the sector to understand the impact of changing demands, and to hear how the police are managing this. That includes what more can be done to improve productivity and efficiency, reduce bureaucracy, and make prudent use of financial reserves.
Decisions about the allocation of police resources and deployment of officers are for Chief Constables and democratically accountable PCCs. They are responsible for ensuring the needs of the local community are met.
Asked by: Michael Fallon (Conservative - Sevenoaks)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many criminal incidents were recorded involving rapid firing and 0.50 calibre rifles in (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17.
Answered by Nick Hurd
Information on the number of offences involving a firearm by type of weapon is published on a quarterly basis in the Office for National Statistics ‘Crime in England and Wales’ bulletin (Table 8), available here:
Asked by: Michael Fallon (Conservative - Sevenoaks)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether an EU citizen who is the spouse of a UK citizen will require a visa or sponsor after the UK leaves the EU when that spouse has been absent from the UK for two years.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
In future, an EU citizen spouse applying to join a UK citizen will be subject to either the same rules that apply to non-EU citizens joining UK citizens, or alternatively, to any post-exit immigration arrangements for EU citizens.
However, in her Florence speech, the Prime Minister proposed an implementation period of around two years after the UK leaves the EU. The framework for this period, which can be agreed under Article 50, would be the existing structure of EU rules and regulations.