Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Maggie Throup

Tuesday 16th May 2023 Commons Chamber

[Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con)]

17. What steps his Department is taking through the criminal justice system to tackle alcohol and drug related crime.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Damian Hinds)]

Offenders who get off drugs are some 19% less likely to slip back into a life of crime, so the Ministry of Justice is investing strongly across security, testing, treatment and continuity of care.

[Maggie Throup]

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that there is a clear correlation between criminal offences involving drugs and alcohol and the prevalence of antisocial behaviour, particularly in and around our town centres? What is being done to ensure that persistent offenders of drink and drug-fuelled antisocial behaviour are not only prosecuted but receive tougher custodial sentences to keep them off the streets so that people feel safer in our communities?

--- Later in debate ---

[Damian Hinds]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question, though I know that you would not want me to stray too far into matters that are for other Government Departments, Mr Speaker. The UK has carried out by far the longest and largest evacuation of any western country from Sudan, bringing 2,450 people to safety. Preventing a humanitarian emergency in Sudan is our top focus. Alongside the evacuation effort, we are working with international partners and the United Nations to bring an end to the fighting.

[Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Maggie Throup

Monday 24th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds]

I acknowledge what the hon. Gentleman says about the increased strains on high needs budgets. As the Minister for School Standards, my right hon. Friend the Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Nick Gibb), said earlier, high needs spending has gone up, from £5 billion to £6.3 billion, and at the end of last year we put in place a package to ease the immediate strains on local authority high needs budgets. I recognise, however, that more needs to be done. For example, we need to look at how the reforms are working and at the role of educational psychologists and to make sure that where it is right for children they can be educated in a mainstream school.

[Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con)]

T2. Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the Peak awards at Derby College. Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating all the winners, especially my constituent Ethan Lee, who was the overall winner for the academic studies award, and recognise the important role that further education colleges play in bridging the gap between schools and universities?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Maggie Throup

Monday 12th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Education (Damian Hinds)]

Social mobility is a top priority right across the Department, from the early years at school to supporting disadvantaged students into university and improving technical education.

[Maggie Throup]

I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. However, as the party of aspiration, what more are our Government doing to help our young people achieve their dreams? Specifically, what are we doing through the secondary school system, which is formative in developing their future roles?

[Damian Hinds]

I thank my hon. Friend for that. Of course, the attainment gap has narrowed by 10% at secondary school, but she is right to say that we need constantly to be thinking about aspiration, which is why our careers strategy and the work of the Careers & Enterprise Company are so important.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Maggie Throup

Monday 10th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con)]

Students and teachers at Wilsthorpe Community School in Long Eaton have begun the new academic year in a new £16 million school building, funded by the Department. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving school facilities for all, and will he join me on a visit to the school in the near future?

[Damian Hinds]

My hon. Friend is right to identify what is going on. My right hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards has just talked about the £23 billion of expansion and improvement capital that we have over the five-year period. We are committed to ensuring that we have the right number of places but also the right quality of places. She is right to highlight that point.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Maggie Throup

Monday 27th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con)]

T10. When it comes to women in work, Erewash leads from the front, with 83% of working-age women in full-time or part-time employment. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to help more women in other parts of the country to return to employment and follow the example set by my constituents in Erewash?

[Damian Hinds]

We have female employment at a near record rate, which is to be celebrated. We have seen the gender pay gap come down, but there is more work to do. A number of things have to fall into place for that to happen, but one of the key things happening this year is, of course, the extension of childcare to 30 hours a week for three and four-year-olds. Parents on universal credit get 85% reimbursement, rather than 70%, and we have tax-free childcare, too.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Maggie Throup

Tuesday 19th April 2016 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds]

Britain does have a leadership position in the industry, but we need a balance. We need a portfolio of energy sources and to recognise the importance of baseload power. That is why the development of new nuclear is also so important.

[Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con)]

11. What steps he is taking to facilitate transactions between UK and Iranian financial institutions.