Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Government's proposals to restrict the use of red diesel on levels of theft of white diesel in (a) sawmills and (b) the construction industry.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
In bringing forward this change, the Government considered views of diesel users and our long-term environment objectives.
The Government does not anticipate reforms to red diesel use will lead to white diesel theft at scale in the affected industries. We will continue to work closely with policing leads and other partners to monitor the situation.
Fuel users storing diesel in tanks or in vehicles and machinery on their site(s) should continue to take steps to ensure this is stored securely. Practical crime prevention advice is published on the Secured by Design website, developed by the Police Crime Prevention Initiatives: https://www.securedbydesign.com/guidance/crime-prevention-advice/fuel-theft.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of a fair funding review of (a) fire services and (b) police services, alongside the broader local government fair funding review.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The Police Funding Formula Review is currently in progress, and we intend to introduce a new funding formula before the next General Election.
The Review will include an evidence-based assessment of policing demand and the relative impact of local factors on forces. We are working closely with the policing sector and relevant experts to develop proposals, and a full public consultation will take place before any new funding arrangements are put in place.
My Department is in regular contact with fire and rescue authorities to ensure we remain informed of their financial circumstances. The Government is committed to ensuring that funding allocations for Fire and Rescue Authorities are based on an up-to-date assessment of their needs and resources. We will work closely with local partners, and take stock of the challenges and opportunities they face, before consulting on any potential funding reform.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what laws are in place to protect people from having their drinks spiked; and what penalties do those laws carry.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
A range of criminal offences are in place to deal with this behaviour. The precise offence committed will depend on the facts of the individual case but the offences available to the police and Crown Prosecution Service include the following:
Section, Act | Description | Penalties |
S.18 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 | Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm | The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment. |
S.20 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 | Inflicting bodily injury, with or without weapon. | The maximum penalty for this offence is imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years. |
S.23 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 | Maliciously administering poison, &c. so as to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm. | The maximum penalty for this offence is imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years. |
S.24 | Maliciously administering poison, &c. with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy any other person. | “To be kept in penal servitude for life” – No specific sentencing |
S.47 | Assault occasioning bodily harm. | “To be kept in penal servitude” – No specific sentencing |
S.61 Sexual Offences Act 2003 | Administering a substance with intent to engage in a non-consensual sexual activity | On summary conviction: Imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both. |
On conviction on indictment: Imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years. | ||
S.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988 | Common assault and battery | Imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the level 5 on the standard scale, or both. |
We have listened closely to the concerns that have been raised about the lack of a specific spiking offence. The Home Office is now considering a criminal offence to target this behaviour directly and this work is ongoing.