Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kirith Entwistle and Keir Starmer

Wednesday 11th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I pay tribute to Ben and Henry, and to everyone supporting their campaign. It is an important issue, and the funding arrangements will be set out in due course.

[Kirith Entwistle (Bolton North East) (Lab)]

Q13. For retail workers in Bolton North East, the busy Christmas season is overshadowed by shoplifting, which the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers’ latest survey identifies as the leading trigger of abuse, threats and assaults. At a police drop-in in Bromley Cross, officers welcomed the Government’s commitment to clamping down on low-level shoplifting and prosecuting repeat offenders. What more can the Government do to tackle shoplifting and support retail workers and businesses during the critical holiday season?

[The Prime Minister]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. I have spoken to many who work in our shops who are very concerned about shoplifting. It went out of control because of the approach taken by the previous Government. We are bringing it under control. It is not low level; it has a huge impact on other customers and a particular impact on staff working in supermarkets. That is why we are dedicating funding to train police and retailers and to support specialist analyst teams to crack down on the gangs that are targeting retailers.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kirith Entwistle and Keir Starmer

Wednesday 11th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

As the hon. Gentleman knows very well, I am not going to pre-empt the Budget. It will all be set out in due course.

[Kirith Entwistle (Bolton North East) (Lab)]

May I pass on the heartfelt thanks of the Bolton Council of Mosques, which greatly appreciated the dedication and leadership that the Prime Minister showed during the riots over the summer? Does my right hon. Friend agree on the importance of supporting inter-faith and community groups, which play a vital role in bringing people together?

[The Prime Minister]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that. We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to our police for their courage in dealing with the recent disorder, and we took action to ensure they had the resources and powers that they needed to tackle violence and restore order to our streets. We also provided additional security for mosques, ensuring freedom of worship and protection from racist threats. In the aftermath, we saw communities who really represent Britain coming forward, led by faith groups and community organisations. They showed unity and demonstrated our values of tolerance and respect.