Oral Answers to Questions

Marco Longhi Excerpts

Tuesday 18th May 2021 Commons Chamber

[Rob Butler (Aylesbury) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to reform sentencing. [R]

[Marco Longhi (Dudley North) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to reform sentencing.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Robert Buckland)]

On 9 March we introduced the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which has been carried forward into the new Session. This legislation will deliver on our manifesto commitments to make punishments tougher for the most serious offenders and to introduce more effective community sentences, and work is also under way on the non-legislative reforms set out in my White Paper last year, which aim to tackle the underlying causes of criminal behaviour and improve the rehabilitation of offenders in the community.

--- Later in debate ---

[Marco Longhi]

Sedgley in my Dudley North constituency has recently seen gangs of youths coming together, throwing stones at passing cars and at people’s property and generally engaging in behaviour seen as very intimidating towards neighbours, so will my right hon. and learned Friend consider the following three things? First, please can we refrain from describing this type of activity as “low-level antisocial behaviour” because victims of these crimes certainly do not see it as such? Secondly, could we ask the police and the judiciary to look at prosecuting and indeed convicting so that sentencing is meaningful and therefore acts as a deterrent? Thirdly, can we please engage with colleagues across Departments to look at investment in schemes for young people that are tailored for them?

[Mr Speaker]

Members should ask only one question.