Contributions
510 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDProtection of Prison StaffI thank the hon. Member for his question and for meeting me earlier in this Parliament to discuss these issues. Yes, these things rightly need to be kept under review, and the…12 May 2025HANSARDProtection of Prison StaffI congratulate that prison officer for the award he got and the work he did. The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 requires courts to consider the fact that…12 May 2025HANSARDProtection of Prison StaffI agree wholeheartedly that the safety and security of our prison staff must always come first and foremost. To address the other part of the hon. Member’s question, I have…12 May 2025HANSARDProtection of Prison StaffI am very happy to continue to work with the Prison Officers Association and other staff associations working in the prison sector to try to address the issues that my right hon.…12 May 2025HANSARDProtection of Prison StaffMy hon. Friend is completely correct: we inherited a prison system in crisis, where prisons were on the edge of collapse. Reducing violence in prisons is a key priority. That is…12 May 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillIf we had used the phrase demographic cohort, we would have to define what that means, whereas personal characteristics is a phrase that already has a level of definition and is…30 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillThe Court of Appeal has made it clear, and, as my hon. Friend said, it is right to follow Thompson in those circumstances. While I am grateful to the right hon. and learned Member…30 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillI beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. Let me first take this opportunity to thank all Members of this House who have spoken in support of this important Bill. I…30 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillWe certainly do not feel that we have overreached. We are acting in a timely and effective way. As the debate has demonstrated, there are issues of detail that need to be properly…30 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mrs Cummins. I wish to thank hon and right hon. Members for the points that have been made and the amendments that have been…30 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillMy hon. Friend echoes much of what the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Josh Babarinde) picked up on earlier. Probation is a significant part of the landscape. That is why we are…30 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillNo, that is not the Government’s view. “Personal characteristics” is a term that is understood and applied in other contexts, whereas “demographic cohort” is a term that, on…30 Apr 2025HANSARDReoffending: Young PeopleThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that all those issues contribute to circumstances that might create offending, but it is really good that we have the turnaround programme…22 Apr 2025HANSARDReoffending: Young PeopleWe have regular discussions with the Department for Education on these matters. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: the more young people we get into training, education and…22 Apr 2025HANSARDReoffending: Young PeopleMy hon. Friend is exactly right. What Engineered Learning is doing is a clear win-win, teaching welding skills and moving people away from crime. The Department will continue…22 Apr 2025HANSARDFemale OffendersThis Government’s plan to support women is clear and ambitious. The aim is to reduce the number of women going to prison, and our Women’s Justice Board will lead on this.…22 Apr 2025HANSARDFemale OffendersMy hon. Friend refers to a shocking situation. Our policy is clear that pregnant women should not be restrained during hospital appointments, except in the most exceptional…22 Apr 2025HANSARDFemale OffendersThese schemes are very important. The hon. Member highlights a very good one, and the Department continues to support those sorts of schemes.22 Apr 2025HANSARDFemale OffendersI agree with my hon. Friend that for some women supported accommodation is very valuable. Existing provision includes His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service-led community…22 Apr 2025HANSARDReoffending: Young PeopleMy hon. Friend is exactly right. In the past, antisocial behaviour has been too easily dismissed as low-level, but as he rightly describes, it can cause real distress and misery…22 Apr 2025