Contributions
1,118 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSerious Economic CrimeAs always, my hon. Friend makes an absolutely critical point. Yes, there are convictions taking place. We can talk about Glencore, Petrofac and others, but he is absolutely…26 May 2022HANSARDSerious Economic CrimeMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. We cannot have a situation where, just because the fraud is complex, it is beyond the reach of the law. That is why I am pleased that this year…26 May 2022HANSARDSerious Economic CrimeMy hon. Friend has raised two points: ENRC and the Sir David Calvert-Smith review. Those are, of course, separate matters, because the Unaoil matter is distinct. In respect of…26 May 2022HANSARDSerious Economic CrimeIn the past five years, the Serious Fraud Office has secured reparations for criminal behaviour from organisations it has investigated totalling over £1.3 billion. That sum is…26 May 2022HANSARDStalking and Coercive BehaviourMy hon. Friend is right. Those are just two elements of violence against women and girls. I am pleased that in the last decade the Government have: outlawed upskirting;…26 May 2022HANSARDStalking and Coercive BehaviourStalking and coercive and controlling behaviour are serious crimes which disproportionately harm women. Prosecutions for both have increased in the years since the offences were…26 May 2022HANSARDEconomic CrimeThe Government absolutely deprecate and abhor the actions that have been taken by P&O, and the Prime Minister was very clear about that. What we will not do is indulge in…24 Mar 2022HANSARDOnline FraudI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question. Economic crime is highly complex, often cyber-enabled and spans multiple jurisdictions. In recognition of that and to keep…24 Mar 2022HANSARDOnline FraudThat is why I am so delighted that at the spending review the Government allocated a full £400 million to boost efforts in the fight against crime—money that goes to the National…24 Mar 2022HANSARDViolence Against Women and GirlsTackling violence against women and girls is a central mission of this Government and, indeed, of independent prosecutors. More than 10,400 suspects were charged with domestic…24 Mar 2022HANSARDViolence Against Women and GirlsI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that important case. Under the victims code that we introduced in April last year, victims have the opportunity to seek a right to…24 Mar 2022HANSARDEconomic CrimeThe Government’s plans on tackling financial crime are outlined in the economic crime plan, which recognises the important roles played by both the Crown Prosecution Service and…24 Mar 2022HANSARDEconomic CrimeMy hon. Friend is absolutely right: the threat is evolving, which is why the Crown Prosecution Service has decided to merge its specialist fraud, organised crime, and…24 Mar 2022HANSARDEconomic CrimeThe programme to replace the Action Fraud service is being funded as part of the £400 million investment in economic crime, so no additional money, as I heard sotto voce from the…24 Mar 2022HANSARDEconomic CrimeThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: fraud is a cruel crime. It is not a victimless crime and it can destroy lives. That is why it is so important that the proper resources are…24 Mar 2022HANSARDFinancial CrimeIn 2020-21, the CPS prosecuted over 6,500 defendants for fraud, with an 85.6% conviction rate. Meanwhile, in the last five years, the Serious Fraud Office have secured court…10 Feb 2022HANSARDFinancial CrimeTo deal with that last point, I find that an extraordinary point to make. It was this Chancellor who ensured in the hon. Member’s constituency that the money was rolled out to…10 Feb 2022HANSARDFinancial CrimeI send our best wishes to the shadow Attorney General as she recovers. The hon. Gentleman is not right in the way he characterises the Government’s approach. He did not mention,…10 Feb 2022HANSARDFinancial CrimeAt the 2019 spending review, the CPS received over £80 million. At this spending review, the Government awarded an additional 12% to boost the number of prosecutors and the…10 Feb 2022HANSARDFinancial CrimeAs so often, my hon. Friend speaks authoritatively. He is absolutely right that fraud shatters lives and can destroy people’s future in the process. He is right that we need to…10 Feb 2022