Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michelle Scrogham and David Lammy

Tuesday 19th May 2026 Commons Chamber

[Michelle Scrogham (Barrow and Furness) (Lab)]

T6. I welcome the youth justice White Paper and its focus on tackling the root causes of offending. Like many of my colleagues, I have seen tragic cases of vulnerable young people being clearly exploited by adults and drawn into crime. May I urge the Minister to ensure that the new offence of child criminal exploitation is brought forward swiftly and that it is robust enough to go after those responsible?

[Mr Lammy]

There is nothing more tragic than seeing young people, often from deprived backgrounds, preyed on by adults to run drugs and all sorts of contraband across the country. We will be bringing that offence forward as soon as possible.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michelle Scrogham and David Lammy

Tuesday 16th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lammy]

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. That is why the £40 million that we are investing in drone technology in particular is important, but we are also investing in new X-ray machines across our prisons to drive down drug use.

[Michelle Scrogham (Barrow and Furness) (Lab)]

Forests With Impact is delivering innovative prisoner rehabilitation through horticulture, paid work and accredited training at HMP Haverigg, helping people to gain skills for employment on release while also contributing to environmental recovery. Would the Minister be willing to pay a visit and observe this work at first hand, and will he meet me to discuss how similar schemes could be supported more widely?