Asked by: Lord Dholakia (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to require police to record the value of stolen goods in cases of “low-value shoplifting” within the meaning of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Under the previous Government, shop theft soared to record highs and it continues to increase at an unacceptable level, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this.
The Government will introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.
Section 176 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2024 has created the perception that offenders and would-be offenders can get away with shop theft of goods of and under £200. We will repeal the relevant provision relating to "low value shoplifting", ensuring the police treat shop theft of any value in the same way, whilst sending a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal. We will continue to work closely with the police to combat retail crime, including through our Retail Crime Forum.
As set out in the Autumn Budget 2024, we will provide £100k of additional funding next financial year for the National Police Chiefs' Council to give further training to police and retailers on prevention tactics. We will also invest £2 million over the next three years in the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) which provides a resource for both police and businesses to learn, share and support each other to prevent and combat crime. This will build on funding provided this financial year to the Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, for development of training materials for both police and retailers to help combat retail crime and promote partnership working.
Asked by: Lord Dholakia (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether new police recruits will be trained on the impact of retail crime on victims.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Under the previous Government, shop theft soared to record highs and it continues to increase at an unacceptable level, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this.
The Government will introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.
Section 176 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2024 has created the perception that offenders and would-be offenders can get away with shop theft of goods of and under £200. We will repeal the relevant provision relating to "low value shoplifting", ensuring the police treat shop theft of any value in the same way, whilst sending a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal. We will continue to work closely with the police to combat retail crime, including through our Retail Crime Forum.
As set out in the Autumn Budget 2024, we will provide £100k of additional funding next financial year for the National Police Chiefs' Council to give further training to police and retailers on prevention tactics. We will also invest £2 million over the next three years in the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) which provides a resource for both police and businesses to learn, share and support each other to prevent and combat crime. This will build on funding provided this financial year to the Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, for development of training materials for both police and retailers to help combat retail crime and promote partnership working.
Asked by: Lord Dholakia (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether (1) an exemption from the Resident Labour Market Test when switching from Tier 4 to a Tier 2 visa, (2) an increase in the minimum salary threshold from £20,000 to £30,000, and (3) the proposed immigration skills charge, would adversely affect medical trainees and doctors coming from India to the UK.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent body and its recommendations are not a statement of Government policy. We thank the MAC for their report and we are currently considering the findings carefully. We will announce our response in due course.
Doctors from overseas make a valuable contribution to the running of our NHS and we will consider the potential impacts on them in making our decisions. The Minister for Immigration met the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and the Minister of State for Home Affairs during a visit to India in February and had wide ranging and constructive talks, including discussion of the MAC’s report on Tier 2.
The Government fully respects the UK’s international commitments and remains strongly committed to the free trade agenda. The UK immigration system continues to support inward investment and trade.
Asked by: Lord Dholakia (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the Migration Advisory Committee's recommendations regarding Tier 2 visas meet the letter and spirit of the Joint Statement on the UK-India Summit of November 2015.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent body and its recommendations are not a statement of Government policy. We thank the MAC for their report and we are currently considering the findings carefully. We will announce our response in due course.
Doctors from overseas make a valuable contribution to the running of our NHS and we will consider the potential impacts on them in making our decisions. The Minister for Immigration met the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and the Minister of State for Home Affairs during a visit to India in February and had wide ranging and constructive talks, including discussion of the MAC’s report on Tier 2.
The Government fully respects the UK’s international commitments and remains strongly committed to the free trade agenda. The UK immigration system continues to support inward investment and trade.
Asked by: Lord Dholakia (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Migration Advisory Committee's recommendations regarding Tier 2 visas on trade between India and the UK.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent body and its recommendations are not a statement of Government policy. We thank the MAC for their report and we are currently considering the findings carefully. We will announce our response in due course.
Doctors from overseas make a valuable contribution to the running of our NHS and we will consider the potential impacts on them in making our decisions. The Minister for Immigration met the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and the Minister of State for Home Affairs during a visit to India in February and had wide ranging and constructive talks, including discussion of the MAC’s report on Tier 2.
The Government fully respects the UK’s international commitments and remains strongly committed to the free trade agenda. The UK immigration system continues to support inward investment and trade.
Asked by: Lord Dholakia (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultations they have had with the government of India about recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee regarding Tier 2 visas.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent body and its recommendations are not a statement of Government policy. We thank the MAC for their report and we are currently considering the findings carefully. We will announce our response in due course.
Doctors from overseas make a valuable contribution to the running of our NHS and we will consider the potential impacts on them in making our decisions. The Minister for Immigration met the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and the Minister of State for Home Affairs during a visit to India in February and had wide ranging and constructive talks, including discussion of the MAC’s report on Tier 2.
The Government fully respects the UK’s international commitments and remains strongly committed to the free trade agenda. The UK immigration system continues to support inward investment and trade.