Asked by: Ben Everitt (Conservative - Milton Keynes North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing sentences for (a) knife possession offences and (b) other offences involving a knife.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
Sentencing is a matter for our independent courts. When deciding what sentence to impose, courts must consider the circumstances of the case in line with any relevant sentencing guidelines issued by the independent Sentencing Council.
In recognition of the seriousness of offences related to knives, the law provides for minimum custodial sentences for repeat knife possession and offences that involve threatening with a weapon. Measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act which came into force in 2022 strengthened existing legislation to make sure that the courts always impose at least the minimum term unless there are exceptional circumstances.
On 18 April the Government launched a 7-week consultation on proposed legislation to tackle knife crime and particularly the use of certain types of large knives and machetes in crime. The proposals provide a multifaceted and focused approach, which we believe will target criminals whilst still allowing the general public to pursue their employment and pastimes with minimal disruption. The consultation may be viewed at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/machetes-and-other-bladed-articles-proposed-legislation.
Asked by: Ben Everitt (Conservative - Milton Keynes North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to support victims of domestic abuse.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
We are building on the landmark Domestic Abuse Act to improve victims services, to ensure that victims can secure justice in our courts and to pursue perpetrators ruthlessly.
Victim support funding is rising to £185 million by 2024/25, including increasing the number of Independent Sexual and Domestic Abuse Advisors to more than 1000 and we are extending the time limit for prosecuting domestic abuse-related common assaults to help victims secure justice.
The government’s focus on this most hidden and pernicious of crimes will continue with the publication of our Domestic Abuse Strategy in the coming months.
Asked by: Ben Everitt (Conservative - Milton Keynes North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
What steps his Department is taking to support victims of domestic abuse.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Supporting and protecting victims of domestic abuse has been a central priority of this Government, backed by major additional investment.
The latest commitment of £40m for victims’ services includes £9.7m for local community-based DA support, plus £8m for new independent domestic violence advisors (IDVAs).
We will pass the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill which creates new domestic abuse protection orders, institutes a new Domestic Abuse Commissioner, and empowers domestic abuse complainants to give their best evidence in court.