Oral Answers to Questions

Holly Mumby-Croft Excerpts

Monday 28th February 2022 Commons Chamber

[Tom Pursglove]

I hear what the hon. Lady says. I am sure that people in Scotland are as concerned as the Government are about people risking their lives in the hands of evil people smugglers, making dangerous crossings of the channel, and all the risks that that presents to life. The fact is that sensible discretion will be built into the whole approach, with various checks throughout, good reasons and a trauma-informed approach. That is precisely what we have committed to; it is exactly what we will deliver.

[Holly Mumby-Croft (Scunthorpe) (Con)]

4. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Government’s tackling violence against women and girls strategy.

[Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) (Con)]

5. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Government’s tackling violence against women and girls strategy.

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Priti Patel)]

As part of the violence against women and girls strategy launched last July, we are bringing forward legislation against stalking, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and wider domestic abuse. The strategy is overseen by the VAWG inter-ministerial group, which I chair.

[Holly Mumby-Croft]

Does my right hon. Friend recognise the importance of the continuing work of police and crime commissioner Jonathan Evison, his team and the Humberside police service on the You Are Not Alone campaign, which aims to raise awareness of support for victims of domestic violence and, indeed, perpetrators? I think that it is really important work, and I hope that she will recognise it.

[Priti Patel]

I thank my hon. Friend for her comment and for the work that the police and crime commissioner and her local police force are undertaking. The You Are Not Alone campaign was launched during the pandemic. I recommend it to anyone who is a victim of any form of domestic abuse or violence. It is a successful campaign, and I pay tribute to police and crime commissioners and to our police officers across the country, who have been supporting it and making sure that they provide support to victims of abuse.

--- Later in debate ---

[Priti Patel]

Yes.

[Holly Mumby-Croft (Scunthorpe) (Con)]

T4. Scunthorpe and Ukraine have deep ties rooted in our steelworks and we are horrified by what is happening to our Ukrainian friends. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the support that she has just described will stay in place for however long it is needed?

[Priti Patel]

My hon. Friend makes a very sensible point, because, of course, there is a conflict taking place. The work of the Government is absolutely right now to support the people of Ukraine, and in particular to support those who need to come over to our country.