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Written Question
Gender Based Violence
Tuesday 4th July 2023

Asked by: Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential provision of content regarding tackling violence against women and girls through (1) immersive, and (2) other, electronic media.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office has worked to identify the most impactful and cost-effective channels to provide content under its tackling violence against women and girls campaign, Enough. This has included variety of digital channels including social media advertising, video-on-demand, digital audio and search engine optimisation.

Immersive forms of electronic media were considered as part of the campaign’s PR activity, but not pursued, following advice from sector experts who felt this type of activity could carry an increased risk of triggering trauma among victims of abuse.

We will continue to ensure any future campaign activity explores and utilises innovative ways of reaching our audiences and delivering its vital message.


Written Question
Espionage and Surveillance
Thursday 5th August 2021

Asked by: Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to protect (1) British citizens, and (2) governing institutions, against espionage and foreign surveillance.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy identifies countering state threats as a key priority for safeguarding our democracy, society and economy. Our approach, is to deter states from aggressive acts through the prospect of punishment by detecting, attributing and responding accordingly; and by denying them the opportunity to act, through reducing our vulnerabilities and improving our resilience.

During the Queen’s Speech in May, the Government announced plans for new legislation to provide the security services and law enforcement with additional tools to tackle the evolving threat of hostile activity by states. Following this, the Home Office launched a public consultation on legislative proposals that seek to:

  • update existing counter espionage laws to reflect the modern threat and legislative standards;
  • create new offences, tools and powers to detect, deter and disrupt hostile activity in and targeted at the UK; and
  • improve our ability to protect official data and ensure the associated offences reflect the greater ease with which significant harm can be done in an increasingly digital world.

Written Question
Community Relations: Bangladesh
Thursday 25th June 2020

Asked by: Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to meet members of Bangladeshi communities in order (1) to address the community's concerns around the impact of COVID-19 on the British Bangladeshi population, and (2) to create greater awareness of Government safety measures in response to the  COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered by Baroness Berridge

The Race Disparity Unit is working with COVID teams across departments to engage directly with ethnic minority communities, including Bangladeshi communities, across the country. The Government has been working closely with faith leaders, the voluntary sector, community representatives and BAME business leaders to ensure that advice and relief measures announced are available to those who need it. To increase accessibility, government advice, guidance, legislation, and the support measures announced were translated into over 25 different languages.


Written Question
Domestic Abuse: Finance
Monday 8th June 2020

Asked by: Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) national, and (2) local, measures are in place to monitor the availability of funding for women’s organisation working with (a) victims, (b) survivors of, and (3) children affected by, domestic abuse.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Government works inter-departmentally and with the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and domestic abuse organisations to understand funding requirements for these organisations at the national level. Levels and types of funding provided from Government Departments to organisations is monitored by those respective Departments. Details of systems in place at local level, for example through local authorities, are not held centrally.

The Designate Domestic Abuse Commissioner has agreed to undertake an in-depth exploration of the current community-based support landscape over 2020/21 which will inform our understanding of the availability of funding for domestic abuse organisations. The precise scope and timing of the review is a matter for the independent Commissioner. The review is expected to take some 12 months

A ministerial-led National Steering Group will be established to monitor and evaluate delivery of the new duty on tier one local authorities in England to provide support to victims of domestic abuse, and their children, within safe accommodation (as provided for in Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Bill). Tier one local authorities will be required to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies for the provision of such support.

The National Steering Group will include representatives from local government, Police and Crime Commissioners, health bodies, specialist domestic abuse service providers and housing associations. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner will also be a member.


Written Question
Immigrants: Domestic Abuse
Monday 8th June 2020

Asked by: Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans are in place to mitigate the impact of any increase in the incidence of domestic abuse on those women who have no recourse to public funds.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Government is committed to supporting people, including those with no recourse to public funds, through this crisis. We are taking a compassionate and pragmatic approach and will continue to review the situation to consider if more can be done.

Following increases in calls to domestic abuse helplines and online services, the Home Secretary announced an additional £2m to bolster organisations’ capacity on April 11. This is in addition to £28m of Government funding for domestic abuse charities to help survivors of domestic abuse and their children by providing more safe spaces, accommodation and access to support services during the coronavirus outbreak.

We have also launched a campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse and signpost victims to the support services available. The campaign, under the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone, aims to reassure those affected by domestic abuse that support services remain available during this difficult time. Details of these services can be found at www.gov.uk/domestic-abuse

A £3.2 billion package of funding has been allocated to local authorities to help them respond to pressures across all the services they deliver and support any individual on the basis of any genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution. For example, where there are community care needs, migrants with serious health problems or family cases.

People granted leave under the family and human rights routes can also apply to have a no recourse to public funds condition lifted or for access to benefits if their financial circumstances change.


Written Question
Domestic Abuse: Ethnic Groups
Thursday 28th May 2020

Asked by: Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that women from BAME communities who have (1) experienced, and (2) reported, domestic abuse receive adequate advice, support and counselling and, where necessary, emergency housing and financial assistance.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

We are in frequent contact with the domestic abuse sector, including specialist BAME organisations, as well as the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, to understand the impact of covid-19 on BAME communities.

Following increases in calls to domestic abuse helplines and online services, the Home Secretary announced an additional £2m to bolster organisations’ capacity on April 11. This is currently being allocated.

This is in addition to £28m of Government funding for domestic abuse charities to help survivors of domestic abuse and their children by providing more safe spaces, accommodation and access to support services during the coronavirus outbreak.


Written Question
Domestic Abuse: Coronavirus
Thursday 14th May 2020

Asked by: Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the deaths of two children in the Borough of Redbridge on 26 April and reports on the level of domestic abuse nationally, what support and resources they are allocating for women’s organisations and organisations supporting BAME women with advice, counselling and emergency accommodation as part of the COVID-19 emergency funds.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

Domestic abuse is unacceptable in any situation, no matter what the stresses. We are working closely with the sector, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and the police to understand the impact of COVID-19 on domestic abuse incidents and on victims, including BAME women, and have published guidance and advice online.

The awareness campaign, #YouAreNotAlone, launched by the Home Secretary, signposts victims to further support, including specific resources for BAME women.

The Home Office is also allocating an additional £2 million in funding announced by the Home Secretary to support technological capability such as specialist helplines and websites. This is in addition to £750m funding for charities announced by the Treasury.


Written Question

Question Link

Thursday 20th July 2017

Asked by: Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering a public safety awareness campaign of the danger of acid attacks; and what advice is being given to individuals and emergency services to minimise long-term physical deformity.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Home Office are working closely with a range of partners and agencies to consider the response to acid attacks including what advice is needed for individuals and medical practitioners to respond to these incidents. On 4 July, the Home Office and the National Police Chief’s Council jointly hosted a meeting with medical experts, police, retailers, and officials from a number of Government departments and agencies to share understanding about the nature of attacks and discussed action being taken by the respective agencies.


Written Question

Question Link

Tuesday 18th July 2017

Asked by: Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

Her Majesty's Government, in the light of figures released by the MPS showing an increase in the number of acid attacks in London from 261 in 2015 to 454 in 2016, what action they are taking to ensure public safety.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Government is very concerned about the use of acid and other corrosives in violent attacks. The Government and the National Police Chiefs’ Council jointly hosted a meeting on 4 July with medical experts, police officers, retailers, and officials from a number of Government departments and agencies to share understanding about the nature of such attacks and discussed action being taken by the respective agencies. We are currently considering what further action can be taken to ensure public safety.


Written Question

Question Link

Monday 17th July 2017

Asked by: Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

Her Majesty's Government whether acid violence is a recognised term within the criminal justice system; and if so, what is its definition.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

There is no recognised term or a specific offence of “acid violence”. However, a range of offences are relevant depending on the nature of the violence and the harm caused.

The most serious violence and harm caused by use of acid or other corrosive substances is likely to be subject to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 causes grievous bodily harm with intent to do so. This carries a maximum life sentence. In addition, someone who has possession of acid or other corrosive substances with an intention to do harm, is likely to be considered to be in possession of an offensive weapon, which is a criminal offence.