Oral Answers to Questions

The Home Department session of Oral Questions began with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Seema Malhotra, responding to tabled questions on the potential merits of devolving the power to introduce a Scottish visa scheme. Malhotra reiterated that the government is not introducing a Scottish visa scheme or devolving control of immigration policy, and instead stated the need to address the underlying causes of skills shortages and overseas recruitment across the UK. The Minister then answered questions on the steps the Department is taking to tackle fraud and economic crime. She highlighted the significant scale of fraud in the UK and the work being done to better protect the public and businesses, including through the national fraud squad and the City of London police. The Minister for Security, Dan Jarvis, also responded, emphasizing the priority being given to this issue. In the second part of the session, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Yvette Cooper, answered questions on steps to improve neighbourhood policing. Cooper acknowledged the decline in neighbourhood policing in recent years and the government's commitment to rebuilding it by putting more officers, PCSOs and special constables back on the streets. She also discussed new powers to tackle antisocial behaviour. During the topical questions, the Home Secretary and her ministerial team addressed a wide range of issues, including tackling small boat crossings, preventing young people from becoming involved in violent crime, the policing of protests, and efforts to support victims of stalking. The Shadow Home Secretary, James Cleverly, questioned the Home Secretary on asylum accommodation costs, while the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, Lisa Smart, raised concerns about the treatment of the Windrush generation.