Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alex Mayer this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 41–46 of 46 · Home Office
If she will establish a review of knife (a) advertising and (b) sales including the strengthening of (i) ID and (ii) age checks by delivery services.
Tackling the illegal sales of knives online is a very important part of the Government’s mission to make our streets safer and reduce knife crime we will make further announcements in due course about our review into this area.
If her Department will publish a list of animal tests replaced by non-animal methods since 2010.
The use of animals in scientific procedures is only authorised by the Home Office Regulator where there is clear scientific benefit, to people, animals, or the environment, and only when all aspects of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have been fulfilled.Licence applicants are required to robustly evidence their consideration of alternative methods. The Regulator reviews all licence applications and will only issue a licence once it is satisfied there are no practicable alternative methods.
If she will make an assessment of the number of police hours spent on investigating shoplifting crimes in Bedfordshire in which the value of the goods taken was less than £200, in the latest period for which data is available.
The latest Police Recorded Crime figures showed 443,995 shoplifting offences for the year ending March 2024, an increase by 30% compared to the previous 12 months. Although the volume of charges for shoplifting rose by 47% in the year ending March 2024 (to 74,221 charges), shoplifting continues to increase at an unacceptable level, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers when committing these thefts. The Government will not stand for this.We welcome the National Police Chiefs Council Retail Crime Action Plan Fighting retail crime: more action - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) which includes a commitment to prioritise police attendance at the scene where violence has been used towards shop staff, where an offender has been detained by store security, and where evidence needs to be secured and can only be done by police personnel.We do not hold the data for the number of police hours spent on investigating shoplifting crimes in which the value of goods taken was less than £200. However, through the Crime and Policing Bill, the Government will end the effective immunity, introduced by the previous government, granted to low level shoplifting of goods under £200. We will also introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.
With reference to the Written Statement of 17 May 2023 on Regulation Update, HCWS779, if she will make it her Department's policy to reinstate a full ban on the testing of cosmetic products on animals covering chemicals used (a) exclusively and (b) predominantly as cosmetic product ingredients.
Animal testing of cosmetics for consumer safety has been banned in the UK since 1998 and this remains in force.Additionally, the Government does not issue licences for animal testing of chemicals that are used exclusively as cosmetics ingredients, carried out under chemicals (REACH) regulations for the purpose of worker and environmental safety.No animal testing is being conducted, nor will any testing be authorised, of chemicals that are exclusively intended to be used as ingredients in cosmetics products.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a medal for seriously injured and medically retired emergency service personnel.
We owe a tremendous gratitude to dedicated emergency service workers for their continued hard work and sacrifice to protect the public. There is no doubt that those who have their service cut short have made, and in many cases will continue to make, an invaluable contribution to the emergency services.Medals are awarded by the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within the service. The creation of a new medal requires a cross Government consensus before advice is put to HM The King, the implementation of a fair set of criteria and processes, and the allocation of funding. Ultimately, these decisions sit with The Monarch but the Government is happy to consider the case for any new medal or award, subject to comprehensive assessment across government to consider whether a medal of this kind would be feasible.
Whether she is taking steps to help ensure that shoplifters who steal goods worth under £200 are charged.
Police Recorded Crime figures showed 443,995 shoplifting offences for the year ending March 2024, an increase by 30% in the 12 months leading up to. Shoplifting continues to increase at an unacceptable level, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers to do this. The Government will not stand for this.Through the Crime and Policing Bill, the Government will end the effective immunity that has been granted to low level shoplifting of goods under £200. We will also introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.