Hate Crime

Debate between Karen Bradley and Karen Buck

Wednesday 29th June 2016 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

I agree with the hon. Lady—we all thought that hate crime was something we had left behind and it is shocking that that has proved not to be the case. I also agree with her that, as politicians, we have a responsibility to be measured and responsible in our language, in what we say and in the actions we take. We must never try to pit one race against another, one gender against another or one sexuality against another. That is totally and utterly irresponsible.

The hon. Lady asks about far right extremism in her constituency. Our counter-extremism strategy has specific measures to deal with extremism of all forms. People looked at the strategy and thought that it was perhaps just about Islamic extremism, but it is not—it is about all forms of extremism, including neo-Nazi and far right extremism. The new civil orders that we will consult on as part of our counter-extremism Bill will address part of that.

[Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab)]

My borough includes one of the greatest breadths of religious and ethnic diversity in the country, including one of the highest proportions of European residents. I am proud of the strength of our community and our institutions, but even in Westminster, we have had examples of abuse and harassment, and people are reporting their fears. We know from the Tell MAMA report that the Minister mentioned that 61% of victims of hate crime are women. Will the hate crime action plan include specific reference to how we can identify and support women who are targets of hate crime, and will it ensure that they are reporting all the incidents that are occurring to them?

[Karen Bradley]

The hon. Lady makes a good point. Yes, I can confirm that the hate crime action plan looks at all victims to ensure that there is specific support and measures in place for them.

Gangs and Serious Youth Violence

Debate between Karen Bradley and Karen Buck

Thursday 3rd March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

I will give way first to the hon. Member for Westminster North (Ms Buck), who is my Member of Parliament in London.

[Ms Buck]

I am happy to oblige with any casework.

The Minister mentions the partnerships that are being built. Does she think that the local authorities that have withdrawn all the resources for the youth service will be able to enter into such partnerships?

[Karen Bradley]

It is for local areas to determine what works best for them, but the Home Office can help them with resources and best practice from the centre.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Bradley and Karen Buck

Monday 16th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

We of course look at what is happening across the whole United Kingdom and work with the devolved authorities and others to ensure that we are using the very best practice.

[Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab)]

The weekend before last, three young men were murdered in three separate incidents in north-west London alone, demonstrating that gang and serious youth violence remains a genuinely serious problem on the streets of London, as it is elsewhere. Next spring, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime funding for the gangs project is due to end. Will the Minister speak with the Mayor of London to ensure that that necessary funding to tackle the threat of gangs continues after next May?

[Karen Bradley]

It is clearly important that we tackle gang violence and look at the exploitation within gang culture, which sees very vulnerable young people exploited and forced into gangs. I will of course be working with all to ensure that there is appropriate support for combating that.