Anna Firth
Conservative - Former Member for Southend West
First elected: 3rd February 2022
Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)
6 Former APPG Officer Positions
Children’s Parliament, Coastal Communities, Entrepreneurship, Human-Relevant Science, Metaverse and Web 3.0, Minimally Invasive Cancer TherapiesDivision Voting information
Anna Firth voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 72 Conservative Aye votes vs 175 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 188
All Debates
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
(63 debate interactions)
(17 debate interactions)
(17 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(64 debate contributions)
(47 debate contributions)
(33 debate contributions)
(31 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(10,107 words contributed)
(2,273 words contributed)
(1,890 words contributed)
(1,795 words contributed)
Latest EDMs signed by Anna Firth
Local Government
Tabled by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)That the draft Castle Point (Electoral Changes) Order 2023, which was laid before the House on 23 May 2023, be not made.
(Most recent: 4 Jul 2023)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 4
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Anna Firth, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Anna Firth has not been granted any Urgent Questions
1 Adjournment Debate led by Anna Firth
3 Bills introduced by Anna Firth
A Bill to create offences of dog abduction and cat abduction and to confer a power to make corresponding provision relating to the abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 24th May 2024 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to require a person in charge of a dog to take all reasonable steps to ensure that that dog does not fatally injure another dog; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to require a person in charge of a dog to take all reasonable steps to ensure that that dog does not fatally injure another dog; and for connected purposes
Tuesday 23rd May 2023
2 Bills co-sponsored by Anna Firth
Bathing Waters (Monitoring and Reporting) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Selaine Saxby (Con)
Automated External Defibrillators (Housing Developments) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Stephen Metcalfe (Con)
Latest 41 Written Questions
(View all written questions)The UK is a global leader in offshore wind and attracts investment from all over the globe. Our ambition of 50GW by 2030 is world leading as we have a strong pipeline of projects and the world’s five largest operational offshore windfarms.
We are stimulating investment and creating new jobs and making £960 million available for a Green Industries Growth Accelerator to support green manufacturing alongside £160m to kick start investment in port infrastructure. Industry has supported our action with Renewable UK’s CEO welcoming this Government’s strong commitment to the sector.
Shadow Minister (Equalities)
The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 came into force from 26th December 2022 to ensure that new homes in England are future-proofed and have access to the fastest broadband. The Regulations require developers of new build homes in England to install the gigabit-ready physical infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable connections. Additionally, and subject to a £2,000 cost cap per premise, developers need to install a gigabit-capable connection. Where a developer is unable to secure a gigabit-capable connection within the cost cap, a next best technology connection available within the same cost cap must be installed. This means first a superfast connection, and then at least a broadband connection is required.
Thinkbroadband statistics for homes built in 2023 indicate that 98% of new homes developed across the UK have access to a gigabit-connection through Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).
The provision of Gigabit infrastructure for new build homes comes from many different network operators including Openreach and alternative ‘altnet’ providers. It is open to developers to secure multiple connections through this infrastructure. Some housing developers have made arrangements to ensure that new build developments are served by multiple network operators providing access to numerous broadband service providers. The Department does not hold data on the proportion of new build housing developments to which network operators provide broadband connections but further information on the breakdown of the new build home broadband market is available from ISPreview.
The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 came into force from 26th December 2022 to ensure that new homes in England are future-proofed and have access to the fastest broadband. The Regulations require developers of new build homes in England to install the gigabit-ready physical infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable connections. Additionally, and subject to a £2,000 cost cap per premise, developers need to install a gigabit-capable connection. Where a developer is unable to secure a gigabit-capable connection within the cost cap, a next best technology connection available within the same cost cap must be installed. This means first a superfast connection, and then at least a broadband connection is required.
Thinkbroadband statistics for homes built in 2023 indicate that 98% of new homes developed across the UK have access to a gigabit-connection through Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).
The provision of Gigabit infrastructure for new build homes comes from many different network operators including Openreach and alternative ‘altnet’ providers. It is open to developers to secure multiple connections through this infrastructure. Some housing developers have made arrangements to ensure that new build developments are served by multiple network operators providing access to numerous broadband service providers. The Department does not hold data on the proportion of new build housing developments to which network operators provide broadband connections but further information on the breakdown of the new build home broadband market is available from ISPreview.
The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 came into force from 26th December 2022 to ensure that new homes in England are future-proofed and have access to the fastest broadband. The Regulations require developers of new build homes in England to install the gigabit-ready physical infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable connections. Additionally, and subject to a £2,000 cost cap per premise, developers need to install a gigabit-capable connection. Where a developer is unable to secure a gigabit-capable connection within the cost cap, a next best technology connection available within the same cost cap must be installed. This means first a superfast connection, and then at least a broadband connection is required.
Thinkbroadband statistics for homes built in 2023 indicate that 98% of new homes developed across the UK have access to a gigabit-connection through Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).
The provision of Gigabit infrastructure for new build homes comes from many different network operators including Openreach and alternative ‘altnet’ providers. It is open to developers to secure multiple connections through this infrastructure. Some housing developers have made arrangements to ensure that new build developments are served by multiple network operators providing access to numerous broadband service providers. The Department does not hold data on the proportion of new build housing developments to which network operators provide broadband connections but further information on the breakdown of the new build home broadband market is available from ISPreview.
As set out in the 2018 Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review, the Government believes competition is the best way to rapidly increase the deployment of gigabit-capable networks, including full fibre, across the UK. Companies are free to decide their own business model, for example whether they run only as a network operator, only as an internet service provider or if they operate as a vertically integrated business. Companies are also free to decide which companies they partner with. Some companies have decided to be open access, while others have adopted other models.
While the Government has not conducted research specifically on the impact of open access fibre networks on broadband rollout targets, the current pro-competition approach has been successful in increasing gigabit-capable networks in the UK from less than 10% coverage in 2019 to more than 80% coverage today. More than 100 companies with various business models across the UK helped with this rapid rollout - the fastest rate in Europe. Consumers also benefit from competitive broadband prices. In difficult to reach areas which might not be commercially viable, the government has invested £5bn to incentivise the rollout of gigabit capable networks.
1 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Questions
(View all Anna Firth's BEIS questions)Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, published the UK non-animal technologies roadmap in 2015 alongside the NC3Rs, the research councils and the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, setting out a long-term vision and strategy for non-animal technologies in the UK.
Innovate UK also supports innovative businesses in the development of non-animal technologies such as tumour organoids, stem cell-based disease models for drug discovery and research through programmes such as the Biomedical Catalyst and SMART, with additional infrastructure support provided through the Medicine Discovery Catapult.
The Secretary of State, the Minister for Sport and DCMS officials have undertaken extensive engagement with stakeholders across English football, during the Fan Led review of Football Governance and following the publication of the Football Governance White Paper last year.
This has included several meetings with the Shrimpers Trust, at Ministerial and official level, most recently in November 2023. We would like to thank the Trust for their engagement to date and would welcome their on-going engagement and support going forward.
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The 239 schools that were announced in December 2022 as part of the School Rebuilding Programme, including Blenheim Primary School, will enter delivery at a rate of approximately 50 per year, over a five year period from April 2023.
The Department is currently undertaking due diligence on these schools before scheduling them, with schools prioritised according to the condition need of their buildings, their readiness to proceed and efficiency of delivery. The Department has written to all Responsible Bodies with an update on timescales and upcoming information sessions.
The funding for each project will depend on the works being undertaken. The scope of each project will be confirmed following a detailed feasibility study and condition surveys of buildings to confirm the work required. Projects are procured directly by the Department and contract values are published on Contracts Finder, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder. These are usually published within 30 days of the contract being signed.
6 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Anna Firth's Defra questions)As part of our drive for better water quality, the Government has asked every water and sewerage company to present a clear assessment and action plan on every storm overflow they operate, prioritising those that are spilling into bathing waters and high-priority nature sites.
The action plans will be published in due course, subject to assurance of the data provided.
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
On 28 February 2024, Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority issued a month-long public consultation on the draft Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery Order 2024.
The Order will be laid before Parliament in due course following consideration of the consultation responses.
The Marine Management Organisation and the Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority are developing a research plan to assess the abundance and condition of non-native clams in the inshore and offshore area of the Thames Estuary. This will establish the potential commercial viability of the fishery. The minimum landing size regulation for clams protects the native clam stocks. Any actions to open-up the non-native clam fishery must also consider impacts on native stocks and on the marine environment.
Legislation sets minimum legal requirements and already allows for development and use of alternative farrowing systems. The UK has a significant outdoor pig sector with 40% of the national sow breeding herd farrowing freely on outdoor units with no option for confinement.
Defra’s 2018 statutory welfare code of practice for pigs confirms that ‘the aim is for farrowing crates to no longer be necessary and for any new system to protect the welfare of the sow, as well as her piglets’. Over the years the Government has funded research into farrowing systems which led to the website Freefarrowing.org. This site provides a variety of information and resources for pig farmers on the different farrowing options available and includes the latest research conducted on them.
We continue to work with the farming industry to maintain and enhance our high standards. The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, part of our new domestic agricultural policy, supports farmers to produce healthier, higher welfare animals. The Government’s welfare priorities for the Pathway include supporting producers to transition away from confinement systems.
The Fisheries Act 2020 requires each fisheries policy authority to lay a copy of the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) consultation draft before the appropriate legislature. This requirement was met on 17 January 2022. In parallel, the JFS was published for public consultation on 18 January.
Both parliamentary scrutiny and the consultation process concluded on 12 April. However, owing to the dissolution of the Northern Ireland Assembly, scrutiny in Northern Ireland concluded on 25 March. Between now and November, we will be amending the JFS draft. During this time, Ministers remain open to engaging with Parliamentarians in the process to finalise the JFS.
We have announced that Contactless Pay as you go (PAYG) ticketing will be rolled out to Chalkwell and Leigh-on-Sea in during 2024. This is part of our commitment to rollout contactless PAYG to more stations across the south east. Further details on the exact date for launch will be announced in due course.
Further to the answer of 8th January 2024, discussions continue to agree a date for the start of work at Chalkwell station. I reaffirm the commitment to notify the hon member when a date has been agreed and hope to be able to provide that information by the start of Spring.
The Government regularly engages with bus operators and Local Transport Authorities to deliver better bus services for passengers as set out in the National Bus Strategy. I would welcome the opportunity to attend a local transport summit, either in-person or virtually, in the honourable member's constituency subject to availability.
Network Rail have now completed the design for an Access for All scheme at Chalkwell station. A delivery contractor was appointed on 8 December and the hon member will be notified when work on site is due to commence.
Network Rail have now completed the design for an Access for All scheme at Chalkwell station. A delivery contractor was appointed on 8 December and a date for the start of works on site will be confirmed shortly.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
In England the National Health Service has not commissioned a national prescribing service from community pharmacy, and therefore community pharmacists cannot prescribe NHS medicines. Some pharmacies do offer a private prescribing service, for which they charge patients.
Where community pharmacies supply medicines as part of an NHS service, for example the new Pharmacy First service, the medicines are supplied on the NHS and the normal prescription charges rules apply.
NHS England is working with integrated care boards, who are currently recruiting over 200 community pharmacy pathfinder sites to establish how independent prescribing can be incorporated into clinical services available to the public through community pharmacy in the longer-term.
Ministers are always keen to discuss issues regarding National Health Service dentistry.
Our plan for dentistry, to be published shortly, will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients; and how we make NHS work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.
The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places by 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.
From 1 April 2023, responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to all integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment.
The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has put in place initiatives to improve access to dental care for the whole population. The Dental Access Pilot allows dentists to be open outside of their normal working hours to see patients in need, self-referred or referred from NHS 111. Up to 4 December 2023, just under 4,000 additional patients have been seen because of this work. The pilot will continue until March 2025.
Patients who are struggling to find a local dentist can contact NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre for assistance or contact NHS 111 if seeking urgent care.
Ministers are always keen to discuss issues regarding National Health Service dentistry.
Our plan for dentistry, to be published shortly, will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients; and how we make NHS work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.
The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places by 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.
From 1 April 2023, responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to all integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment.
The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has put in place initiatives to improve access to dental care for the whole population. The Dental Access Pilot allows dentists to be open outside of their normal working hours to see patients in need, self-referred or referred from NHS 111. Up to 4 December 2023, just under 4,000 additional patients have been seen because of this work. The pilot will continue until March 2025.
Patients who are struggling to find a local dentist can contact NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre for assistance or contact NHS 111 if seeking urgent care.
Ministers are always keen to discuss issues regarding National Health Service dentistry.
Our plan for dentistry, to be published shortly, will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients; and how we make NHS work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.
The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places by 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.
From 1 April 2023, responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to all integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment.
The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has put in place initiatives to improve access to dental care for the whole population. The Dental Access Pilot allows dentists to be open outside of their normal working hours to see patients in need, self-referred or referred from NHS 111. Up to 4 December 2023, just under 4,000 additional patients have been seen because of this work. The pilot will continue until March 2025.
Patients who are struggling to find a local dentist can contact NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre for assistance or contact NHS 111 if seeking urgent care.
Ministers are always keen to discuss issues regarding National Health Service dentistry.
Our plan for dentistry, to be published shortly, will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients; and how we make NHS work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.
The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places by 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.
From 1 April 2023, responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to all integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment.
The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has put in place initiatives to improve access to dental care for the whole population. The Dental Access Pilot allows dentists to be open outside of their normal working hours to see patients in need, self-referred or referred from NHS 111. Up to 4 December 2023, just under 4,000 additional patients have been seen because of this work. The pilot will continue until March 2025.
Patients who are struggling to find a local dentist can contact NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre for assistance or contact NHS 111 if seeking urgent care.
In England local authorities are responsible for assessing oral health needs, developing oral health strategies and commissioning oral health improvement programmes for children and adults in their local area.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has published an evidence-based toolkit, ‘Delivering better oral health - an evidence-based toolkit for prevention’, for dental teams to support preventive advice and treatment for their patients, including the prevention of tooth decay in children. This toolkit is available at the following link:
OHID has also published ‘Improving oral health: an evidence-informed toolkit for local authorities’, which has, as one of its recommendations, oral health training for the wider professional workforce. This is available at the following link:
As amended in the other place, the Financial Services and Markets Bill protects free access to cash by requiring the Financial Conduct Authority to seek to ensure that, in the United Kingdom, there is reasonable provision of free withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts with relevant providers.
Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
The Prime Minister and I have a clear plan to reduce illegal migration.
Alongside our landmark Illegal Migration Bill, we are working more closely with international partners, including France; dismantling Organised Immigration Crime gangs; ending spurious modern slavery claims; and reforming our asylum system.
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
The manufacture, importation and sale of Zombie knives was prohibited by The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2016, in England and Wales. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 widened the offence to include the possession in private of zombie knives and other specified offensive weapons and extended the prohibition to Northern Ireland.
As part of the measures of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 we ran a surrender and compensation scheme, 14,965 offensive weapons were surrendered including 224 zombie type knives.
We are not planning to carry out an assessment of the effectiveness of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, however we keep all legislation under review in the interests of public safety and will update Parliament if there are specific changes the Government has in mind.
We are working closely with the police to see what more we can do to address the criminal use of large knives and machetes. Any future public consultation will be notified to parliament and published on .GOV and the scope of any items under consideration will be laid out in the consultation document. Public consultations are open to practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public.
Shadow Home Secretary
The manufacture, importation and sale of Zombie knives was prohibited by The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2016, in England and Wales. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 widened the offence to include the possession in private of zombie knives and other specified offensive weapons and extended the prohibition to Northern Ireland.
As part of the measures of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 we ran a surrender and compensation scheme, 14,965 offensive weapons were surrendered including 224 zombie type knives.
We are not planning to carry out an assessment of the effectiveness of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, however we keep all legislation under review in the interests of public safety and will update Parliament if there are specific changes the Government has in mind.
We are working closely with the police to see what more we can do to address the criminal use of large knives and machetes. Any future public consultation will be notified to parliament and published on .GOV and the scope of any items under consideration will be laid out in the consultation document. Public consultations are open to practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public.
Shadow Home Secretary
The manufacture, importation and sale of Zombie knives was prohibited by The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2016, in England and Wales. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 widened the offence to include the possession in private of zombie knives and other specified offensive weapons and extended the prohibition to Northern Ireland.
As part of the measures of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 we ran a surrender and compensation scheme, 14,965 offensive weapons were surrendered including 224 zombie type knives.
We are not planning to carry out an assessment of the effectiveness of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, however we keep all legislation under review in the interests of public safety and will update Parliament if there are specific changes the Government has in mind.
We are working closely with the police to see what more we can do to address the criminal use of large knives and machetes. Any future public consultation will be notified to parliament and published on .GOV and the scope of any items under consideration will be laid out in the consultation document. Public consultations are open to practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public.
Shadow Home Secretary
The manufacture, importation and sale of Zombie knives was prohibited by The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2016, in England and Wales. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 widened the offence to include the possession in private of zombie knives and other specified offensive weapons and extended the prohibition to Northern Ireland.
As part of the measures of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 we ran a surrender and compensation scheme, 14,965 offensive weapons were surrendered including 224 zombie type knives.
We are not planning to carry out an assessment of the effectiveness of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, however we keep all legislation under review in the interests of public safety and will update Parliament if there are specific changes the Government has in mind.
We are working closely with the police to see what more we can do to address the criminal use of large knives and machetes. Any future public consultation will be notified to parliament and published on .GOV and the scope of any items under consideration will be laid out in the consultation document. Public consultations are open to practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public.
Shadow Home Secretary
Tackling serious violence is a priority for this government. Through our twin-track approach, combining tough enforcement with programmes that divert young people away from crime, we are driving down levels of violent crime. And I’m proud that since 2010, violence is down 37% under this Conservative Government.
Since 2019, we have invested £340m in the areas most affected by violence, funding our ‘Grip’ hotspot policing programme and Violence Reduction Units to tackle the root causes of serious violence.
In their first three years of funded delivery, these programmes have collectively prevented an estimated 136,000 violence without injury offences.
Shadow Home Secretary
The Regulator for the use of animals in science fully implements the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 by following a published procedure for the granting of project licences.
The regulator has recently improved its processes and systems through a regulatory reform programme to assure compliance of establishments with the legislation.
1 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Questions
(View all Anna Firth's MHCLG questions)In Round 1 of the Levelling Up Fund we awarded £19.9 million to Southend-on-Sea City Council to support infrastructure upgrades to coastal attractions, this included the renovation of Leigh Port.
My officials will be in touch to arrange a meeting so you can discuss with me how we can further progress this project and ensure it is delivered successfully.
Tackling knife crime remains a priority and this Government will continue to do all it can to break the deadly cycle of violence that devastates the lives of individuals, families and communities.
We have taken significant action to both prevent and respond to crimes involving weapons through the Serious Violence Strategy, the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 and increased stop and search powers.
We have recently consulted on further measures to tackle this issue.
Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Ministry of Justice publishes information on the number of prosecutions and convictions for various offences under the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 and Criminal Justice Act 1988, since 2019 in the Outcomes by Offence data tool: June 2022.
Navigate to the ‘Prosecutions & Convictions’ tab and use the HO offence code filter to select the applicable offence:
- 19520 - Summary offences under Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 and Criminal Justice Act 1988
However, whether the offences relate to possession of a zombie knife specifically is not held centrally in the Court Proceedings database. This information may be held on court records but to examine individual court records would be of disproportionate costs.
Information on charges is held by the Home Office, however, they do not hold information on the ‘possession of a zombie knife’. The Home Office does collect and publish information on the number of ‘Possession of article with blade or point’ offences recorded by the police in England and Wales, and their investigative outcomes including charges here: Police recorded crime and outcomes open data tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care