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Rudd unveils plan to fight violent crime, insisting police cuts not linked to rise - live Rudd unveils plan to fight violent crime, insisting police cuts not linked to rise - live
(35 minutes later)
Boris Johnson has congratulated Viktor Orban on winning the Hungarian election, after Orban and his Fidesz party ran a hardline anti-immigrant campaign.
Congratulations to Fidesz and Viktor Orban on winning the elections in Hungary. We look forward to working with our Hungarian friends to further develop our close partnership. #UKandHungary
Responding to the serious violence strategy, announced by Amber Rudd today, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned the squeeze on councils’ budgets is affecting their work with young people.
Cllr Simon Blackburn, chair of the LGA’s safer and stronger communities board, said:
It is not helpful that councils are still waiting to receive their youth justice grant allocations for 2018/19. This is vital funding used to support young people and help keep them away from criminality in the first place. This follows government funding for council youth offending teams already being halved from £145m in 2010/11 to just £72m in 2017/18.
Councils also face significant rises in demand for urgent child protection work and with a children’s services funding gap that will reach almost £2bn by 2020, councils are increasingly having to divert funding away from preventative work into services to protect children who are at immediate risk of harm.
Only with the right funding and powers can councils continue to make a difference to people’s lives, by supporting families and young people, and helping to tackle serious violent crime in our local communities.
Here’s a lunchtime summary:
Amber Rudd, has denied seeing documents from her department, leaked to the Guardian, which said government cuts to the police had “likely contributed” to a rise in serious violent crime. Rudd repeatedly insisted that a recent rise in violent crime, including a high-profile series of murders in London, was not connected to police funding cuts.
The impact of police numbers on violent crime was left out the government’s new Serious Violence Strategy. It focussed instead on the impact of drug markets, social and economic disadvantages and social media.
Jeremy Corbyn urged Rudd to explain to Parliament the impact of police cuts on violent crime. He said the leaked research made a nonsense of her claims.
The EU has accepted that Britain will not be changing its mind on Brexit and may never return to the bloc after next year’s divorce, according to Phil Hogan, Ireland’s EU commissioner in Brussels. EU leaders do not expect any substantive change in the UK’s position before article 50 of the Lisbon treaty is invoked in March 2019, even if there is a vote on the Brexit deal in parliament before that deadline, he is due to say.
Boris Johnson has called for a robust international response to the chemical attack in Douma. The head of th Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Ahmet Üzümcü, expressed his “grave concern” over the incident and launched an inquiry.
Two Tory MPs, Tom Tugendhat and Johnny Mercer, have called for an attack against Syria without a parliamentary vote. “Standing by as kids are gassed isn’t pacifism, it’s tolerating evil,” Tugendhat said.
Harriet Harman has accepted an apology from a Tory MP Kemi Badenoch for hacking into her website and altering its contents. Asked about the “naughtiest” thing she had done, Badenoch said: “About 10 years ago, I hacked into a Labour MP’s website and I changed stuff in there to say nice things about Tories.”
Theresa May has arrived in Copenhagen for talks with her Danish counterpart. She is due to give a press conference at around 1.30pm.
Theresa May arrives in Copenhagen for her bilat with Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen 🇩🇰🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/p1Xv3Ll5cv
Rudd is asked why the strategy contains no reference to cuts in police numbers.Rudd is asked why the strategy contains no reference to cuts in police numbers.
She says she recognises the pressure on police. She repeats that she has not seen the leaked research. She says she wants a strategy based on evidence not anecdote.She says she recognises the pressure on police. She repeats that she has not seen the leaked research. She says she wants a strategy based on evidence not anecdote.
Rudd urges social media companies to ban content linked to gangs inflaming violence.Rudd urges social media companies to ban content linked to gangs inflaming violence.
She said they must review their terms and conditions to make it clear they will not host gang content.She said they must review their terms and conditions to make it clear they will not host gang content.
Tackling serious violence is not a “law enforcement issue alone”, according to a key government strategy published amid an embarrassing row over the impact of police numbers on a rising tide of violent crime in Britain.Tackling serious violence is not a “law enforcement issue alone”, according to a key government strategy published amid an embarrassing row over the impact of police numbers on a rising tide of violent crime in Britain.
The impact of police numbers on violent crime is conspicuous by its absence from the government’s much-hyped Serious Violence Strategy, published by the Home Office on Monday after the Guardian revealed department research concluded falling police numbers “likely contributed” to an increase in knife and gun crime.The impact of police numbers on violent crime is conspicuous by its absence from the government’s much-hyped Serious Violence Strategy, published by the Home Office on Monday after the Guardian revealed department research concluded falling police numbers “likely contributed” to an increase in knife and gun crime.
The leak threatened to overshadow the broader findings and conclusions of the strategy, such as the impact of drug markets, social and economic disadvantages and social media, at a time when knife and gun deaths on British streets, particularly in London, surge with 50 murders in the capital this year alone.The leak threatened to overshadow the broader findings and conclusions of the strategy, such as the impact of drug markets, social and economic disadvantages and social media, at a time when knife and gun deaths on British streets, particularly in London, surge with 50 murders in the capital this year alone.
The final 115-page document contains little about the impact of increasing or decreasing police numbers, despite the research seen by the Guardian being clear on its findings and marked “official – sensitive”.The final 115-page document contains little about the impact of increasing or decreasing police numbers, despite the research seen by the Guardian being clear on its findings and marked “official – sensitive”.
Amber Rudd is outlining the government’s new strategy to tackle violent crime. She insists again that there is no evidence to support claims that cuts in police numbers are behind the rise in violence.Amber Rudd is outlining the government’s new strategy to tackle violent crime. She insists again that there is no evidence to support claims that cuts in police numbers are behind the rise in violence.
She points to a strong link between drugs and violent crime.She points to a strong link between drugs and violent crime.
Serious violence is on the up and this is linked to drug dealing, Rudd says, especially within so-called county lines gangs and particularly crack cocaine.Serious violence is on the up and this is linked to drug dealing, Rudd says, especially within so-called county lines gangs and particularly crack cocaine.
Labour continues to attack the government over the home office leak and Rudd’s admission that she hasn’t read the research.Labour continues to attack the government over the home office leak and Rudd’s admission that she hasn’t read the research.
Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, said:Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, said:
“The Tories’ concern about knife crime doesn’t even run so far as providing new money or extra officers to tackle it. What part of the Home Office budget is being raided to fund this initiative? It must not be from elsewhere in the police or security budgets which have already been slashed.“The Tories’ concern about knife crime doesn’t even run so far as providing new money or extra officers to tackle it. What part of the Home Office budget is being raided to fund this initiative? It must not be from elsewhere in the police or security budgets which have already been slashed.
“This morning the Home Secretary claimed to be launching “a fact and evidence-fuelled” strategy, but then admitted she hadn’t even bothered to read the evidence her officials have compiled.“This morning the Home Secretary claimed to be launching “a fact and evidence-fuelled” strategy, but then admitted she hadn’t even bothered to read the evidence her officials have compiled.
“This looks increasingly like a PR stunt by Amber Rudd designed to grab a good headline. The Tories have slashed police funding and resources, leaving them struggling to cope with rising serious crime. This latest announcement looks like a cover up of their own failures.”“This looks increasingly like a PR stunt by Amber Rudd designed to grab a good headline. The Tories have slashed police funding and resources, leaving them struggling to cope with rising serious crime. This latest announcement looks like a cover up of their own failures.”
Corbyn called for an investigation into the Douma attack.Corbyn called for an investigation into the Douma attack.
On Syria, Corbyn says there should be an investigate so world "can find out exactly who delivered that chemical weapon”. Doesn't name Assad.On Syria, Corbyn says there should be an investigate so world "can find out exactly who delivered that chemical weapon”. Doesn't name Assad.
He also called for Rudd to explain to Parliament why her own department found that cuts in police numbers were a contributory factor to the rise in violent crime.He also called for Rudd to explain to Parliament why her own department found that cuts in police numbers were a contributory factor to the rise in violent crime.
Corbyn paid tribute to Lammy but said MPs had to be the ones who spoke up for their communities.Corbyn paid tribute to Lammy but said MPs had to be the ones who spoke up for their communities.
Boris Johnson has called for a robust international response to the chemical attack in Douma.Boris Johnson has called for a robust international response to the chemical attack in Douma.
The foreign office released this account of a call Johnson made to his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drain, about the “horrific attack”.The foreign office released this account of a call Johnson made to his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drain, about the “horrific attack”.
“Speaking to Le Drian, the foreign secretary underlined the urgent need to investigate what had happened in Douma and to ensure a strong and robust international response. They noted that international investigators mandated by the UN Security Council had found the Assad regime responsible for using poison gas in at least four separate attacks since 2014 and agreed that those responsible for this attack must be held to account.“Speaking to Le Drian, the foreign secretary underlined the urgent need to investigate what had happened in Douma and to ensure a strong and robust international response. They noted that international investigators mandated by the UN Security Council had found the Assad regime responsible for using poison gas in at least four separate attacks since 2014 and agreed that those responsible for this attack must be held to account.
“They both condemned the use of chemical weapons by anyone anywhere and they agreed to work together to stand up for the Chemical Weapons Convention and to ensure that there was no impunity for those that use such barbaric weapons. They agreed that today’s meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York would be an important next step in determining the international response and that a full range of options should be on the table.”“They both condemned the use of chemical weapons by anyone anywhere and they agreed to work together to stand up for the Chemical Weapons Convention and to ensure that there was no impunity for those that use such barbaric weapons. They agreed that today’s meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York would be an important next step in determining the international response and that a full range of options should be on the table.”
Harriet Harman has said she has accepted an apology from a Tory MP for hacking into her website and altering its contents.Harriet Harman has said she has accepted an apology from a Tory MP for hacking into her website and altering its contents.
Kemi Badenoch, the MP for Saffron Walden and a rising star in the Conservative party, made the confession in a video interview unearthed this week.Kemi Badenoch, the MP for Saffron Walden and a rising star in the Conservative party, made the confession in a video interview unearthed this week.
Asked about the “naughtiest” thing she had done, Badenoch said: “About 10 years ago, I hacked into a Labour MP’s website and I changed stuff in there to say nice things about Tories.”Asked about the “naughtiest” thing she had done, Badenoch said: “About 10 years ago, I hacked into a Labour MP’s website and I changed stuff in there to say nice things about Tories.”
The head of th Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Ahmet Üzümcü, has expressed his “grave concern” over the chemical weapons attack in Syria.The head of th Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Ahmet Üzümcü, has expressed his “grave concern” over the chemical weapons attack in Syria.
In a statement the OPCW added:In a statement the OPCW added:
The OPCW Situation Centre has been closely monitoring the incident and made a preliminary analysis of the reports of the alleged use of chemical weapons immediately after they were issued. The Fact Finding Mission (FFM) is in the process of gathering further information from all available sources to establish whether chemical weapons were used. The FFM will report its findings to States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention.The OPCW Situation Centre has been closely monitoring the incident and made a preliminary analysis of the reports of the alleged use of chemical weapons immediately after they were issued. The Fact Finding Mission (FFM) is in the process of gathering further information from all available sources to establish whether chemical weapons were used. The FFM will report its findings to States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Jeremy Corbyn’s says the leaked home office research “make a nonsense” of government claims that cuts to police have no effect on rising violent crime.Jeremy Corbyn’s says the leaked home office research “make a nonsense” of government claims that cuts to police have no effect on rising violent crime.
In a speech to Labour’s local election campaign launch he said:In a speech to Labour’s local election campaign launch he said:
You cannot protect local communities when you cut funding to local councils to such an extent they are unable to provide the essential youth service support that stops many young people being drawn into violent crime.You cannot protect local communities when you cut funding to local councils to such an extent they are unable to provide the essential youth service support that stops many young people being drawn into violent crime.
The Tory record on policing and crime is one of reckless failure. Plain and simple - you can’t have security on the cheap and cuts have consequences. Too many communities are living with those consequences.The Tory record on policing and crime is one of reckless failure. Plain and simple - you can’t have security on the cheap and cuts have consequences. Too many communities are living with those consequences.
On Brexit he promised never to use European citizens as a bargaining chip in the negotiations.On Brexit he promised never to use European citizens as a bargaining chip in the negotiations.
And he said Labour would “not tolerate any concession to antisemitism or anti-Jewish bigotry in any form.”And he said Labour would “not tolerate any concession to antisemitism or anti-Jewish bigotry in any form.”
He added:He added:
I know my party, the party I have been a member of for 50 years and I know that the overwhelming majority of members are united, determined to root out any anti-semitism, and to make our party the welcoming movement that is has always been.I know my party, the party I have been a member of for 50 years and I know that the overwhelming majority of members are united, determined to root out any anti-semitism, and to make our party the welcoming movement that is has always been.
Prejudice and hatred of Jewish people has no place whatsoever in society and every one of us has a responsibility to ensure it is never allowed to fester again.Prejudice and hatred of Jewish people has no place whatsoever in society and every one of us has a responsibility to ensure it is never allowed to fester again.
Labour’s local election campaign launch is well underway. Jessica Elgot is tweeting the highlights.Labour’s local election campaign launch is well underway. Jessica Elgot is tweeting the highlights.
Georgia Gould, the leader of Camden council, is introducing Sadiq Khan, who will speak before Corbyn. Gould says Labour councils on frontline of austerity, and says half her council's budget has gone.Georgia Gould, the leader of Camden council, is introducing Sadiq Khan, who will speak before Corbyn. Gould says Labour councils on frontline of austerity, and says half her council's budget has gone.
Gould said government ignoring people living in unsafe homes covered in Grenfell-style cladding, but councils have borne the costsGould said government ignoring people living in unsafe homes covered in Grenfell-style cladding, but councils have borne the costs
Gould, who is Jewish, says there must be a "strong united stance" against anti-semitism, which she says has no place in LabourGould, who is Jewish, says there must be a "strong united stance" against anti-semitism, which she says has no place in Labour
Sadiq Khan speaking now at the London Labour local elections campaign - says Londoners have choice between investment in services or “more social vandalism.” pic.twitter.com/13Z5uu2JInSadiq Khan speaking now at the London Labour local elections campaign - says Londoners have choice between investment in services or “more social vandalism.” pic.twitter.com/13Z5uu2JIn
"If you keep cutting, the social fabric will tear," Khan says. A life of crime and violence should never be inevitable."If you keep cutting, the social fabric will tear," Khan says. A life of crime and violence should never be inevitable.
Nick Clegg has refused to rule out joining a new political party after the Observer reported that the idea has secured £50m from financial backers.Nick Clegg has refused to rule out joining a new political party after the Observer reported that the idea has secured £50m from financial backers.
Asked on Today if he could join and possibly lead the new movement, Clegg said: “Of course not.”Asked on Today if he could join and possibly lead the new movement, Clegg said: “Of course not.”
But Politics Home quotes him adding there was a “gaping hole in the middle of British politics” which if not plugged by the Lib Dems should be filled by another centrist party.But Politics Home quotes him adding there was a “gaping hole in the middle of British politics” which if not plugged by the Lib Dems should be filled by another centrist party.
“I personally have always felt that liberal values... are more important than which particular vehicle is carrying them at any particular time.”“I personally have always felt that liberal values... are more important than which particular vehicle is carrying them at any particular time.”
“I think other people - whether it’s liberals or liberal conservatives… should always be open to doing what they think is right and consistent with their values rather than being high bound by whatever political tribe they are in.”“I think other people - whether it’s liberals or liberal conservatives… should always be open to doing what they think is right and consistent with their values rather than being high bound by whatever political tribe they are in.”
Senior Labour figures and commentators continue to pour scorn on the idea.Senior Labour figures and commentators continue to pour scorn on the idea.
A concept doomed to failure from a bunch of millionaires, pushed by a failed leader of a party that he left in ruins, a smokescreen purely designed to try and split the Labour Party. Mr Clegg supported&propped up a disastrous Tory coalition of doom, l don't fear any "new party" https://t.co/4LeZUpo9RlA concept doomed to failure from a bunch of millionaires, pushed by a failed leader of a party that he left in ruins, a smokescreen purely designed to try and split the Labour Party. Mr Clegg supported&propped up a disastrous Tory coalition of doom, l don't fear any "new party" https://t.co/4LeZUpo9Rl
Not so much a new party as a corporate funded juncket for defeated and discredited politicians. https://t.co/3N3whFncqKNot so much a new party as a corporate funded juncket for defeated and discredited politicians. https://t.co/3N3whFncqK
Jessica Elgot is poised to cover the launch of Labour’s local election campaign.Jessica Elgot is poised to cover the launch of Labour’s local election campaign.
Waiting for @jeremycorbyn and @SadiqKhan at Labour’s launch of the London local elections. Conveniently, and symbolically, in central Westminster, one of the councils the party is hoping to snatch. pic.twitter.com/waknqCGd2KWaiting for @jeremycorbyn and @SadiqKhan at Labour’s launch of the London local elections. Conveniently, and symbolically, in central Westminster, one of the councils the party is hoping to snatch. pic.twitter.com/waknqCGd2K
Former Labour solicitor general Dame Vera Baird, now the police and crime commissioner for Northumbria, continues to feud with Rudd over police cuts.Former Labour solicitor general Dame Vera Baird, now the police and crime commissioner for Northumbria, continues to feud with Rudd over police cuts.
After Rudd tried to shift the blame for cuts onto PCCs, Baird tweeted:After Rudd tried to shift the blame for cuts onto PCCs, Baird tweeted:
PCCs can't spend money on police that the Government's taken away https://t.co/R2N9gSLPyePCCs can't spend money on police that the Government's taken away https://t.co/R2N9gSLPye
And in a Facebook post she wrote:And in a Facebook post she wrote:
“New laws don’t replace the officers needed to enforce them. The Home Secretary cant prosecute her way out of this appalling violent crime spike in London nor with other crime increases elsewhere. Deep cuts to police number does affect safety - simple as that. Neighbourhood policing was put in place as the bedrock of preventive policing, producing intelligence capable of triggering early intervention to head off criminality. Due to funding cuts, officers are stretched as never before and are unable to focus as much on neighbourhood policing, which in turn reduces intelligence and thwarts prevention.“New laws don’t replace the officers needed to enforce them. The Home Secretary cant prosecute her way out of this appalling violent crime spike in London nor with other crime increases elsewhere. Deep cuts to police number does affect safety - simple as that. Neighbourhood policing was put in place as the bedrock of preventive policing, producing intelligence capable of triggering early intervention to head off criminality. Due to funding cuts, officers are stretched as never before and are unable to focus as much on neighbourhood policing, which in turn reduces intelligence and thwarts prevention.
In our force cuts have meant we have lost over 900 police officers since 2010, even though I have spent our reserves down to the very tightest safe minimum to keep officers on the beat, but with ever decreasing government funding, like this year yet again, this can’t continue”.In our force cuts have meant we have lost over 900 police officers since 2010, even though I have spent our reserves down to the very tightest safe minimum to keep officers on the beat, but with ever decreasing government funding, like this year yet again, this can’t continue”.
While we wait for Corbyn and Khan to launch Labour’s local election campaign, Pippa Crerar sets the scene:While we wait for Corbyn and Khan to launch Labour’s local election campaign, Pippa Crerar sets the scene:
The Labour leader will put soaring violent crime at the heart of his party’s bid to take over at least four fiercely guarded Tory local authorities, branding the Tories’ record on policing and crime as a “reckless failure”.The Labour leader will put soaring violent crime at the heart of his party’s bid to take over at least four fiercely guarded Tory local authorities, branding the Tories’ record on policing and crime as a “reckless failure”.
At an event in Westminster – one of Labour’s target councils – Corbyn will also criticise Theresa May’s housing policy, saying that the Grenfell disaster showed that London “may be united, but we are deeply unequal”.At an event in Westminster – one of Labour’s target councils – Corbyn will also criticise Theresa May’s housing policy, saying that the Grenfell disaster showed that London “may be united, but we are deeply unequal”.
Khan, meanwhile, will hope to appeal to remain voters by telling them the local elections on 3 May will be their last chance to give their verdict on the “extreme, hard Brexit” the government is pursuing.Khan, meanwhile, will hope to appeal to remain voters by telling them the local elections on 3 May will be their last chance to give their verdict on the “extreme, hard Brexit” the government is pursuing.
Outside London, the elections are as likely to be about bins as Brexit. But it is inevitable that much of the focus will fall on the capital, where all the seats in 32 boroughs – 20 of which are currently held by Labour – are up for grabs.Outside London, the elections are as likely to be about bins as Brexit. But it is inevitable that much of the focus will fall on the capital, where all the seats in 32 boroughs – 20 of which are currently held by Labour – are up for grabs.
The red surge in the capital has been evident for some years. Labour now needs little over 150 net gains to match its best ever result in the capital: 1,221 seats in 1971. The Tories, who have no councillors in five London boroughs, are within 100 losses of their worst showing.The red surge in the capital has been evident for some years. Labour now needs little over 150 net gains to match its best ever result in the capital: 1,221 seats in 1971. The Tories, who have no councillors in five London boroughs, are within 100 losses of their worst showing.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Rudd to accept her department’s own research suggesting cuts to policing are a factor in the rise of violent crime.London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Rudd to accept her department’s own research suggesting cuts to policing are a factor in the rise of violent crime.
Met Home Sec @AmberRuddHR this morning to discuss knife crime - which is rising in 39/43 police forces in England & Wales. Some positive ideas on tackling violence, but there needs to be an acceptance that cuts to policing & youth services are a factor. https://t.co/M7HNGbdb6wMet Home Sec @AmberRuddHR this morning to discuss knife crime - which is rising in 39/43 police forces in England & Wales. Some positive ideas on tackling violence, but there needs to be an acceptance that cuts to policing & youth services are a factor. https://t.co/M7HNGbdb6w