Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Dan Jarvis Excerpts
Monday 13th January 2025

(2 days, 11 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Greg Smith Portrait Greg Smith (Mid Buckinghamshire) (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

7. When she plans to bring the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 into force.

Dan Jarvis Portrait The Minister for Security (Dan Jarvis)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

I commend the hon. Gentleman’s work in bringing forward this legislation and reiterate the Government’s commitment to safeguarding rural communities. We will implement the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, and we fully support its intention to tackle the theft and resale of high-value equipment, particularly for use in an agricultural setting.

Greg Smith Portrait Greg Smith
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am grateful to the Minister for his kind words and to the Government for their support for what was my private Member’s Bill and is now the Act. The commencement date for the Act was in January last year, but it requires a statutory instrument to be moved to bring it into full force. When will that statutory instrument be moved? Can he assure me that there is no delay because of the equipment manufacturers, who of course benefit massively from crime because they get to sell another one?

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Let me reassure the hon. Gentleman. As he knows, the Act requires secondary legislation to take effect. We are currently considering the views of those who may be affected by the legislation, but we intend that the regulations will be in place by the summer.

Adam Jogee Portrait Adam Jogee (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

8. What steps she is taking to help tackle crime in Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.

--- Later in debate ---
Dan Jarvis Portrait The Minister for Security (Dan Jarvis)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

It is a top priority to protect our country and our elected representatives from interference, intimidation and harassment. The defending democracy taskforce brings together a cross-Government response to these threats. We will use all the tools at our disposal to protect our democratic security and resilience.

Pete Wishart Portrait Pete Wishart (Perth and Kinross-shire) (SNP)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

T2.   Last week, the Scottish Parliament passed a motion calling for action on immigration to address the needs of Scotland’s employers, communities and public services, with a particular reference to rural visa pilots. As the Secretary of State knows, every sector in Scotland is crying out for Scottish solutions to distinct Scottish issues and problems. What is her response to that democratically passed motion other than not being interested?

--- Later in debate ---
Johanna Baxter Portrait Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Recently, the owner of social media site X has used his sizeable platform to undermine the democratic result of last July’s general election; has stirred up hatred towards my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Yardley (Jess Phillips), putting her safety at risk; and has sought mechanisms to depose the Prime Minister. Can the Minister say what actions the Defending Democracy Taskforce is taking to prevent this kind of foreign interference in British politics?

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis
- View Speech - Hansard - -

I thank my hon. Friend for that important question. The Government consider this work to be urgent. We have seen some utterly unacceptable activity, both during and beyond the general election. I hope that work to address this issue will be a shared endeavour right across the House, but the Government are working at pace to address it.

Richard Tice Portrait Richard Tice (Boston and Skegness) (Reform)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

What actions will the Home Secretary be taking following the news that eight UK companies and organisations have been deemed terror groups by the United Arab Emirates?

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis
- View Speech - Hansard - -

The UAE is an important international partner for the UK, but of course other countries have their own rules on designation and it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on their processes. I can say to the hon. Member that extremism has no place in our society and that we work very closely with law enforcement, local communities and our international partners to tackle groups and any individuals who seek to sow division and hatred.

Mohammad Yasin Portrait Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

My deepest condolences go to the family and friends of 17-year-old Thomas Taylor, who was fatally stabbed in Bedford last week. Bedfordshire has some of the highest knife crime rates in the country. While I welcome the increased funding for the force and the progress made on tackling knife crime in the region, will the Secretary of State ensure that the special grants awarded to Bedfordshire police in recognition of the high level of serious and violent crimes in the region are maintained? Will she outline what further steps are being taken to deter young people from carrying lethal weapons?

--- Later in debate ---
Rupa Huq Portrait Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The National Crime Agency estimates that £100 billion of illicit funds flow through the UK yearly. Despite the existence of the David Cameron-created unexplained wealth orders, only 11 orders in total have ever been issued, relating to four or five cases. What is my right hon. Friend doing to stop these orders from becoming pointless, as they were under the Tories, because we cannot afford to use them?

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Among many other things, the Government have appointed Baroness Hodge as the Government’s anti-corruption champion. We will be working very closely with her and other ministerial colleagues to address the issue that my hon. Friend has raised.

Nick Timothy Portrait Nick Timothy (West Suffolk) (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Can the Home Secretary confirm that none of her Ministers or officials engages with or is in touch with the Muslim Council of Britain, and that there is no correspondence between No. 10, the Home Office and other Departments about restoring ties with the organisation?

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Yes, we can confirm that that is the case.

Gagan Mohindra Portrait Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Several of my constituents in South Oxhey have unfortunately been the victims of burglary or attempted burglary. Will the Home Secretary outline the measures her Department is taking to allow the police to invest in technologies such as live facial recognition, which can make crimes such as burglary easier to solve?