LIVE: David Lammy Takes Questions In UK Parliament | DWS News | AC1F

Shrewsbury, closed. Portsmouth, closed. Holloway, closed. North Allerton, closed. And what are they now? A block of flats. That's why we need an early release scheme. That's why we passed the Sentencing Act. And we're empowering communities locally to make sure that we protect the public. Sir James Beverley. Mr. Speaker, he makes a joke about the use of figures. Let me give him a figure. 50,000 prisoners released early in just two years under his leadership. And I am genuinely shocked. I am genuinely shocked, Mr. Speaker. that when given the opportunity to apologize to the victims, he publicly failed to do so. And let me remind him what this is about. Let me quote Fiona Goddard, herself a victim of grooming gangs, who has been brave and open about how his policy will impact her. And she says, Learning that they might be released early has completely thrown me off track. I have barely left the house. I feel constantly anxious, frightened, and unsafe. I can barely sleep. This is the impact his policy is having on victims. He refuses to apologize. But why is he pursuing a policy that he must know is both wrong and dangerous? This is a very serious matter. And the hon. Gentleman is experienced in this House. He knows that while he was Home Secretary, they had an early release scheme that set out 10,000 offenders. They had six schemes within a year. They had a plan that they announced on June 6, 2023. Another scheme on October 17, 2023. Another scheme on March 8, 2020. That is why we are notifying victims in consultation with all victims. Last week, I sat in my surgery with a victim of grooming gangs. We all want to see offenders behind bars. That's why we need the capacity to do so. Sir James Blevely. Mr. Speaker, he refers to 10,000 early releases over the 14 years of Conservative government. They have released 50,000 in two years. And he knows it's wrong. But his party knows it's wrong. Four hundred Labour MPs voted, and not one supported the Government's policy in last night's vote. They know it's wrong. The country knows it's wrong, but he insists on pursuing it anyway. So if he refuses to change course, will he at least make this promise? That not one rapist or pedophile will be released early later on this year? He hasn't proposed what they would do if they were in office. They released 10,000—10,000 with four different schemes. No impact assessment was conducted when they were released. No victim contact when they released them. No warning. They did it secretly. And let us be clear. Yes, we have more probation officers. They ruined the probation, completely destroyed it because of Chris Fraley. We have invested £700 million in probation. We are launching the largest tagging program in our history. We are forcing offenders to remain confined to specific areas rather than where victims are. We are imposing bans on alcohol, pubs, football, and driving. We are implementing income reduction orders. And we're expanding chemical castration for sex offenders. None of it happened when they were in power. Sir James Bradley Mr. Speaker, he will look back on this exchange, and I think he will be shocked by how it is coming across. No apology to the victims. No guarantee that pedophiles and rapists will not be released early. We all know that deliberately releasing dangerous criminals is the wrong thing to do. We are not satisfied with doing that. He is determined to accidentally release dangerous criminals. Last year, last year, in response to the questions of my right honourable friend, the Member for South Suffolk He claimed that under Labour he had brought accidental releases under control. Yet we now know there have been more accidental releases in the last two years. rather than in the entire previous Parliament. So I give him another chance. Will he apologize to the nation for his abject failure? at keeping prisoners in prison where they belong? I must say, this coming from the honorable gentleman is rich. They had 14 long years in power. They destroyed neighborhood policing. He was the Home Secretary. Prisons were at full capacity. That's why they held the general election. And they secretly released offenders. And that is why we have the Sentencing Act that passed through this House. and the House of Lords. What we're doing is getting thousands more police officers on the beat. We're making probation stricter. They've destroyed it. And we have to have the space to incarcerate dangerous criminals. That's why we passed the Sentencing Bill. Sir James Claverley. Mr. Speaker, it's the dangerous criminals that he is letting out early. So he refuses to apologize to the victims. It refuses to guarantee that sexual offenders and rapists will not be released early. Another thing that the country and indeed this House instinctively knows is wrong is his personal crusade to abolish trial by jury. We know that it will not clear the backlog. We know that it undermines fundamental British freedoms. And we know the legal profession is united against it. So will he now admit that it is wrong? And will he commit to reversing his proposals to abolish trial by jury? Well, let's be clear, Mr. Speaker. There is no proposal before this House to abolish trial by jury. The Honorable Member needs to do better and get into the details. There is a threshold change. Margaret Thatcher introduced changes to jury trials. David Cameron introduced a change to jury trials. The vast majority of criminal cases in this country are handled by magistrates. Again, which they cut. We're restoring the magistrate, and they will be able to do more. We are investing in our courts. They ran roughshod over our courts. We are modernizing our courts. We are introducing digital ID. And we need reform. He speaks in glowing terms about what he claims to be doing. What we are actually seeing this Government doing is siphoning money from where it's needed and squandering it on the welfare bill which has increased by £20 billion this year alone. And he talks about moving past the details. Here's a simple detail for him. When I was Home Secretary, we had more police officers. than at any point in British history. Since taking over, that number has decreased by more than 2,000 officers. Last week at the Dispatch Box, my right honourable Friend the Leader of the Opposition highlighted this government's failure to defend us internationally. Today, I have outlined his failure to defend us domestically. If the soon-to-be Prime Minister... Is he anywhere in the room? If the soon-to-be Prime Minister does not wish to be complicit in his failure, He should come out and condemn this plan. not just hint that he opposes it. Because if the Labour party cannot protect the citizens of this country, either domestically or internationally Then what on earth is the point of them? Mr. Speaker, he insists on proving that he can't count. We lost 16,000 police officers while they were in power. Mr. Speaker, the British people haven't forgotten. what the opposing party did to our country. After two years of a Labour Government, I'll compare our records every day of the week. Their record represents the greatest decline in living standards in recorded history. Our record represents the greatest advancement in workers' rights in a generation. Their record is destroying our criminal justice system. Our record is reducing violent crime. Their record is millions of people stuck on NHS waiting lists. Our record shows we are reducing NHS waiting lists at the fastest rate in history. Their record is outstanding in defense. He was a reservist. They shouted out the armed forces. Our record represents the largest increase in defense spending since the early 1990s. And their policies are plunging hundreds of thousands of children into poverty. Our record includes lifting half a million children out of poverty. I'll take our record over theirs any day of the week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Official report by Family C regarding the most depraved sexual abuse of children identifies serious failures by Glasgow City Council and other bodies. The report, Mr. Speaker, states that one child victim knocked on the windows. shouting at a health visitor not to leave This was regarded as street-smart behavior, not a desperate plea for help. The staff described the same child with contempt. saying the child's behavior was nasty and interfering. The children desperately needed compassion, love, and safety, not contempt. Does my right honourable friend agree with me? that the council must accept rigorous, independent scrutiny of what has occurred and independent oversight of the implementation of improvements? Well, Mr. Speaker, this case involves horrific offenses against vulnerable children. I know all members of this House will join me in paying tribute to the victims. who have shown remarkable courage in coming forward. It is evident that these children were terribly let down. Glasgow City Council must urgently act on the recommendations of this review. I know my honourable friend has written to the Scottish Government. to request an independent investigation. The SNP should consider this request with the seriousness it deserves. Daisy Cooper, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I associate myself and my party with the Deputy Prime Minister's tribute to Sir George Howarth? his remarks about the 7/7 bombings and all those who live with the consequences of that terrible day, and wish England good luck for Saturday evening. And as the UK prepares for its seventh Prime Minister in a decade, Can I also thank the Deputy Prime Minister for our exchanges? and wish him well in whatever role he may have. Mr. Speaker, the honourable member for Clacton used to say... Mr. Speaker, the honourable member for Clacton used to say, Leave means leave. It seems his latest stunt is to leave this place. just so that he can return as a fully-fledged member after not just one referendum on his conduct, Mr. Speaker, but possibly two. So will the Deputy Prime Minister join us in urging the Chancellor? to delay the honorable member for Clacton's resignation until the investigation is complete, So the good people of Clacton have all the facts before they cast their votes? And if not, will he support our Clacton clause? so that even once the honourable member ceases to be an MP, Can the investigations continue? Well, everyone can see that the reform leader is just trying to distract. from the fact that he's up to his neck in sleeves. He has serious questions to answer, and he can't run away from them. Labour isn't going to be part of this circus. I hear it's the people versus the establishment. The city trader Putin admiring a professional politician Who is friends with crypto billionaires versus Count Binface? There have been unqualified joke candidates in the past. Let's see what the people of Clacton decide. Daisy Cooper. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's clear it's a two-horse race. Mr. Speaker, on a more serious and very somber note. On a sombre note, Mr. Speaker, on a sombre, sombre note. MI5 has defended in court an agent whom they knew to be openly misogynistic. obsessed with violence and who used his position to coercively control his girlfriend Beth and attack her with a machete. To add insult to injury, MI5 also provided false evidence to the court. So will the Deputy Prime Minister take this opportunity? to offer Beth a full apology on behalf of the government? And will he use his position to bring back a full Hillsborough Bill next week? which covers the security services so that we can pass the law before the summer recess? Well, she does raise a very serious issue, of course. And I will arrange for Beth to meet with the Security Minister to discuss this in detail. She also introduces the Hillsborough Bill. And I am confident that this will be before the House in the coming days. Emily Darling Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Deputy Prime Minister and most of us across this House have been victims of AI-generated fake news, also known as deepfakes. They mislead the public and undermine our democracy. BBC News coverage and coverage from other news channels is also being manipulated by AI to spread falsehoods. Will he, along with MPs from across this House, support the amendments I have tabled to the Representation of Peoples Act which would require anything created by AI to be labeled as such and stop producing deepfakes of ourselves and our colleagues and prevent the UK from these destructive tactics employed by foreign states and others Who wishes to see our democracy made weaker? Well, I am very grateful to my esteemed colleague. She is right that our protections must keep pace with evolving threats, including deepfakes. I know she has been in close discussions with ministers on this issue. And we will examine her amendment closely. We are absolutely focused on protecting our democracy against foreign interference. Dr. Ellie Chapman Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our politics needs fixing fast. The broken, outdated first-past-the-post system has clearly failed to deliver a stable government. We urgently need to rebuild trust in our democracy. and ensure that every vote counts equally. Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree with the right honourable Member for Makefield? that proportional representation is an idea whose time has come? Does he agree with me and Members across this House? That time is now, before the next general election? Well, I'm very pleased that she brings up the issue of votes and democracies. But I must say this to the Greens. During the local elections, a Green councillor in Lewisham called me and the shadow Foreign Secretary coconuts. Her party turned a blind eye, kept her candidate in office and have awarded that candidate a council position. I'm not making this up. The Cabinet Member for Healy. The Greens could begin a healing process by ceasing such racist language. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This week marks the second anniversary of our Labour government. And two years on, my constituents in West Dunbartonshire now enjoy greater rights at work. Thousands of workers are now better off thanks to increases in the national minimum wage. Thousands of children lifted out of poverty. Tens of millions of pounds in Pride in Place funding to communities previously left behind. Shipbuilding on the decline has been secured by the Norwegian naval deal. Billions of pounds of investment in Fast Lane. As well as a new youth hub set to open next month. I think even the Deputy Prime Minister could answer that. Well, can I commend my Honourable Friend for the difference he has made? including his diligent efforts to secure Pride of Place funding for his constituency. He boasts an amazing record over two years. And we have three more left to go. Understandably, over the past week, rules and regulations have come under sharp focus. But even more important than the rules and regulations is the law. And on that subject, I believe there are several matters on which everyone in the House can agree. And everyone in the House can be proud. Phrases such as without fear and favour. And symbols such as Lady Justice wearing a blindfold. Now I would like to ask the Deputy Prime Minister, however well-intentioned he may be actions by the MPCC and the College of Policing with their programs such as the Race Action Plan may be. We have seen some very high-profile cases where civil unrest has occurred where faith in the police has been shaken as appears to be a two-tier decision-making process. So may I ask, in good faith, what the Deputy Prime Minister can do? to reassure people that impartiality and fairness will always be upheld? Well, may I say to the Honorable Gentleman that everyone is equal before the law. That is the foundation upon which the openness, tolerance, and generosity of this country are based. And let's be clear, there is no two-tier justice in this country. And may I say, the Honorable Member was elected as a reform-minded member of Parliament. And he clearly aspires to become one once again. Reports have emerged that concerns were raised with the National Crime Agency about Nigel Farrar's five million gift, He should be asking, where did the money really come from? I am deeply grateful for what the Prime Minister has helped us achieve. in Cornwall over the past few years. Whether that's free breakfast clubs, urgent capital funding for GP surgeries or the Kernow Industrial Growth Fund. However, what has held us back at various points, not beside the muttering from the other side, I would argue completely unnecessarily, is something to which the answer is blatantly obvious to everyone in Cornwall. The question of who should be the masters of Cornwall's strategic destiny. Does he agree with me that the answer to this question must always be Cornwall? And will he make time for the Government to lay the statutory instrument required? to make Cornwall, once and for all, a strategic authority so that when the right honourable Member for Makefield comes in, that we can ensure good growth in every postcode and the re-industrialization of Cornwall? Well, may I thank my Honorable friend? He is right to champion the immense potential of Cornwall. We are absolutely committed to devolution. and placing power in the hands of local leaders. Discussions with local authorities, including Cornwall, are ongoing. We will confirm the next steps as soon as possible. I know the ministers will be happy to update him. Dr. Ros Savage Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My constituency of the South Cotswolds is the ninth most sewage-polluted constituency. throughout the entire country with thousands of hours of sewage pouring into the Thames, Avon, and Colne. But that measure of hours hides the truth. It does not convey the actual volume. And clearly, a trickle is very different from a gush. So will the Deputy Prime Minister arrange for me to meet with the relevant Minister? to require water companies to report on the volume and concentration of sewage discharges, as well as the number of hours? Well, she's right. We inherited record levels of pollution. We are determined to tackle this and clean our waterways. We have acted by banning unfair bonuses, introducing prison sentences for law-breaking bosses, unlocking £104 billion in private investment to rebuild vital infrastructure to deliver cleaner waters, And, of course, we have the Clean Water Bill. Of course, I'll arrange for her to meet with the Minister. Kat Ettles Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Stourbridge is famous for many things. The glass industry, Jude Bellingham, Robert Plant and, most importantly, the Stourbridge shuttle, the UK's shortest railway line, at just 0.8 miles or 1.3 kilometers if you prefer metric and it connects Stourbridge Junction with Stourbridge Town. Despite its small size, it achieves an impressive 99.6% reliability. compared to the West Midlands, an average of 64.4% One of my highlights as an MP was unveiling a shuttle car. named after the local legend George, the Stourbridge Station Cat whose global social media following made him a beloved figure at the crossroads, and today marks the beginning of Shuttle Shorts, A short film festival celebrating the journey. The shuttle demonstrates how a community railway can enhance local mobility. Does he agree? that the pre-metro ambition to introduce the BLR service Between Stourbridge and Briley Hill lies a valuable opportunity for GBR. And should local businesses be supported to do this? First, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a statement about the future. It's coming home. And may I thank my hon. Friend. I'm happy to echo her sentiments about Jude Bellingham. He is not only making Stourbridge proud, But he is a source of pride for the entire nation. Great British Railways is undergoing the largest overhaul we've seen. of our railways in a generation. We will work with all partners, including local authorities and local businesses. to drive investment, support economic growth, and provide better service for her constituents. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Constituents in the western part of North Shropshire were delighted when RIS 3 was announced, because as part of the National Safety Programme, a roundabout at the desperately dangerous Flunkers Crossroad Became a step closer. But with the announcement that the defense investment program will be funded by cuts to transport programs, Can the Deputy Prime Minister reassure my constituents? that the National Safety Programme won't be cut? And can he consider adopting the Liberal Democrat proposal of defence bonds? to finance the defense investment plan, so that critical security projects such as transportation are not put at risk through the programme? We are increasing defense spending to keep this country safe. in an increasingly volatile world. That does require tough decisions. and the Department of Transport will allocate £700 million value of savings for road funding But we will consult on the next road investment strategy. and make our decisions in due time. I can reassure the Honourable Lady that the safety of passengers would always come first. Pam Cox Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be executed in this country. Her case serves as a haunting reminder of a time when our justice system ignored the realities of domestic abuse and coercive control In the decades since, members of Ruth's family and supporters have campaigned unwaveringly for her to receive a posthumous pardon. Will the Deputy Prime Minister agree with me? that their courageous campaign and the terrible lessons of Ruth's case must strengthen the Government's resolve to free women from devastating cycles of abuse? I am deeply grateful to my esteemed friend. I have the honour to say that His Majesty the King Has accepted our advice to grant Ruth Ellis a conditional pardon, the last woman to be hanged in the United Kingdom While the pardon does not claim She was innocent of killing David Blakely. It replaces the death penalty. with a sentence of life imprisonment to recognize a profound injustice in this exceptional case. I know her grandchildren, Laura Enston and Stephen Beard. are in the gallery with us today. We hope this brings a measure of peace to Ruth Ellis's family. who have borne the burden of what happened to her for over 70 years Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government has said that higher taxes are needed to finance increasing welfare expenditures. In Northern Ireland, My party's Minister for Communities is taking action. to reduce welfare fraud and errors. Previous discussions were held between the Treasury and the Department that would have enabled the Northern Ireland Departments to retain a share of any savings to invest directly in public services but those proposals were blocked by Sinn Féin. Would the Deputy Prime Minister ensure that the incoming Prime Minister I will reconsider that approach. so that we can combat benefit fraud, protect taxpayers' money as well as providing tangible benefits for communities across all of Northern Ireland? Well, I know that my Honorable Friend, the Minister for Northern Ireland, is discussing the budget at this very moment, but addressing fraud and error in the welfare system is a priority for this Government. That's why we passed the Fraud, Error, and Recovery Act, granting the DWP greater powers to halt fraud in its tracks, Recover lost money and prevent overpayments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I was proud to host a number of members of Basingstoke's Nepalese community here in Parliament, including a number of Gurkha veterans. One of the issues we discussed was that of Gurkha pensions, and I pay tribute to the work of my Honorable Member, a friend from Aldershot, for all her work on this issue. I have been proud to work alongside her. Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree? that it is time to resolve the long-standing issue of Gurkha pensions recognizing the service and sacrifice of Gurkha veterans to our country? Well, I am very grateful to my Honorable Friend. We owe a profound debt of gratitude to the Gurkhas who have served this country bravely. We are listening to the needs of the community, and we are already improving access to healthcare and community support. Ministers have met with veterans. in the Government of Nepal for constructive discussions on pensions Those will continue. and I would be happy to ensure that my Honorable Friend is kept informed. Rebecca Paul Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Coughlin's Bakery, which was founded in 1937 has announced the closure of all its stores Five of them are in my Ryegate constituency. The reasons given by Sean Coughlin include recent employer national insurance and business rate increases. This much-loved family business that has survived a world war and multiple recessions has not been able to survive this Labour Government So I ask the Deputy Prime Minister, How many businesses need to fail? before this Government learns that it cannot achieve growth through taxation? We're supporting business with the lowest corporate tax in the G7 We have delivered the small business plan. with the largest crackdown on late payments over 25 years. We're reducing costs for businesses. through five major trade agreements. We have secured £365 billion in private investment since the election and unemployment down Over 400,000. 400,000 more people in employment than this time last year. Final question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last month I had the opportunity to operate a staff bank center in my constituency, one of the many that I am proud to have across Waxhaw and Campbell Green for their 75th anniversary. The House may know that the staff bank centre was built as part of the Festival of Britain 1951 which successfully saw People come together to share the identity after the ruins of World War II Seventy-five years on, Mr. Speaker, Sadly, the world is a more divided place. Recently we've seen two far-right marches including one going through my constituency, leaving many members feeling afraid. But, Mr. Speaker, There is hope. as we see with the World Cup bringing people together, showing the power of culture and sport. So does the Deputy Prime Minister. Agree with me Now is the moment. to continue investing in the things that Bring us together, just as the government What did you do in 1951? Well, can I thank my esteemed friend for the tireless work that she does in this area. She is absolutely right. We must stand united. against those who seek to divide us. Our social cohesion action plan sets out how we will combat extremism, Bring communities together and restore national pride. And we are providing local communities up to £1.7 million to insulate them against the threats to social cohesion