Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laura Kyrke-Smith and Dan Jarvis

Monday 8th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Jarvis]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that important point, and I assure him that I will raise it with the noble Lord Hanson, who leads on matters relating to fraud. I hope the hon. Gentleman acknowledges that the Government have invested £250 million in working with a range of different organisations to bear down on the levels of fraud that we are seeing. That includes law enforcement, GCHQ, banks, telecommunications and tech partners, and civil society. We have also invested £31 million in a new online crime centre. I will look carefully at the points that he makes and refer them to Lord Hanson.

[Laura Kyrke-Smith (Aylesbury) (Lab)]

4. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to indefinite leave to remain on skilled legal migrants resident in the UK.

--- Later in debate ---

[Laura Kyrke-Smith (Aylesbury) (Lab)]

T3.   My local Jewish community does not have a dedicated building to meet and worship in. That means that they are not eligible for the Government’s expanded support for Jewish communities, which is primarily aimed at fixed places of worship. I welcome the Government’s expanded commitment, and I am grateful for their engagement with me on this issue, but will the Minister give an update, including on whether support can be extended to security guards?

[The Minister for Security (Dan Jarvis)]

My hon. Friend may be aware that I recently met the hon. Member for Mid Buckinghamshire (Greg Smith) and the rabbi for south Buckinghamshire. She will know that the Jewish community protective security grant scheme, administered by the Community Security Trust, funds security measures such as CCTV, alarms and fencing, which require fixed sites to install and maintain. However, I fully recognise the fear and concerns raised by mobile Jewish congregations, and we are working closely with CST to understand what more support we can give.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laura Kyrke-Smith and Dan Jarvis

Monday 5th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Laura Kyrke-Smith (Aylesbury) (Lab)]

In the light of the appalling antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach, the faith communities in Aylesbury are scared. I welcome the Government’s funding to protect places of worship, but it does not extend to my local Jewish community, who do not have their own synagogue. What further measures will the Minister consider to ensure that all faith communities, even those without their own premises, are well protected?

[The Minister for Security (Dan Jarvis)]

As the Home Secretary has said, we were all appalled by the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach. As my hon. Friend will know, all faith communities should be able to worship in peace and without fear. That is why the Government are investing £70.9 million in 2025-26 to strengthen security at places of worship. I listened carefully to the point she raised and would be very happy to discuss it with her further.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laura Kyrke-Smith and Dan Jarvis

Monday 29th July 2024 Commons Chamber

[Dan Jarvis]

I understand that the National Physical Laboratory has independently tested the algorithms that the police have been using in live facial recognition cases and has found them to be highly accurate. It found no statistically significant differences based on ethnicity at the settings the police generally use.

It is extremely important that any new technology used by the police is accompanied by strong safeguards, including to prevent bias or disproportionality, and that a robust legal framework is in place to govern the use of these new technologies. My hon. Friend still has concerns, and I am sure the policing Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Dame Diana Johnson), or I will be happy to meet her.

[Laura Kyrke-Smith (Aylesbury) (Lab)]

10. What steps her Department is taking to clear the asylum backlog.