The Home Secretary has written to all chief constables to ask them to take on board the lessons from the Jay report into the failings in Rotherham, and from the rolling HMIC inspections into how forces are protecting children. HMIC\u2019s South Yorkshire Police child protection inspection report was published on 30 September.<\/p>
The National Policing Lead for child protection and abuse investigation has taken action to revise the national policing child sexual exploitation action plan to take account of the learning from the Jay report and other recent publications. A series of briefings to police managers across England and Wales, including South Yorkshire Police, have been completed so that the key findings of the Jay Inquiry are shared with frontline leaders across the police service.<\/p>
Furthermore, on 13 October it was announced that the Chief Constable for South Yorkshire requested that the National Crime Agency leads an independent investigation into outstanding allegations of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, raised in the Professor Jay Report.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-19T16:11:00.107Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Offences against Children: Rotherham"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what actions they are taking to ensure that South Yorkshire Police carry out the recommendations in the report by Professor Alexis Jay Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997\u20132013)<\/i>.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4333", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Scriven"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Scriven"} ], "uin" : "HL3413"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167891", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167891/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Her Majesty\u2019s Government have not had any discussions with the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or credit rating agencies about the securitisation of peer-to-peer loans.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
However, since April 2014, the peer-to-peer lending sector has been supervised and regulated by the FCA. The FCA monitors risks in any regulated sector on an ongoing basis.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4262", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Deighton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Deighton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL3416"} , {"_value" : "HL3419"} , {"_value" : "HL3420"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-19T12:44:22.853Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Crowdfunding"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they have had any discussions with the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority about whether to allow the securitisation of peer-to-peer consumer or business loans.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4286", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Mendelsohn"} ], "uin" : "HL3415"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167892", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167892/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Her Majesty\u2019s Government have not had any discussions with the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or credit rating agencies about the securitisation of peer-to-peer loans.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
However, since April 2014, the peer-to-peer lending sector has been supervised and regulated by the FCA. The FCA monitors risks in any regulated sector on an ongoing basis.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4262", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Deighton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Deighton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL3415"} , {"_value" : "HL3419"} , {"_value" : "HL3420"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-19T12:44:28.04Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Crowdfunding"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they, the Bank of England or the Financial Conduct Authority have held any discussions with the credit rating agencies about the securitisation of peer-to-peer consumer or business loans.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4286", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Mendelsohn"} ], "uin" : "HL3416"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167895", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167895/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Her Majesty\u2019s Government have not had any discussions with the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or credit rating agencies about the securitisation of peer-to-peer loans.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
However, since April 2014, the peer-to-peer lending sector has been supervised and regulated by the FCA. The FCA monitors risks in any regulated sector on an ongoing basis.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4262", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Deighton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Deighton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL3415"} , {"_value" : "HL3416"} , {"_value" : "HL3420"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-19T12:44:28.173Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Crowdfunding"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what risks they consider need to be prepared for in the expansion of the peer-to-peer lending market; and whether the potential securitisation of such lending would require additional regulation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4286", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Mendelsohn"} ], "uin" : "HL3419"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167896", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167896/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Her Majesty\u2019s Government have not had any discussions with the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or credit rating agencies about the securitisation of peer-to-peer loans.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
However, since April 2014, the peer-to-peer lending sector has been supervised and regulated by the FCA. The FCA monitors risks in any regulated sector on an ongoing basis.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4262", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Deighton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Deighton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL3415"} , {"_value" : "HL3416"} , {"_value" : "HL3419"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-19T12:44:28.363Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Crowdfunding"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England are looking at modelling what level of institutional investment in peer-to-peer (P2P) collaterised loan obligations, or at what level funds established to buy P2P collaterised loans, would present a systemic risk to the financial system; and if not, whether they have done so or plan to.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4286", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Mendelsohn"} ], "uin" : "HL3420"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167897", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167897/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The current European credit rating regulation 1060/2009 stipulates that rating agencies monitor and review credit ratings on an ongoing basis and at least annually. Furthermore, the regulation states that:<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
"The credit rating agency shall inform the rated entity at least 12 hours before publication of the credit rating and of the principal grounds on which the rating is based in order to give the entity an opportunity to draw attention of the credit rating agency to any factual errors".<\/em><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The Government\u2019s long term economic plan has secured the UK\u2019s strong credit rating, which has contributed to lower borrowing costs and helped protect frontline services. In June 2014, Standard and Poor\u2019s (S&P) revised the outlook on their UK AAA rating to stable, from negative. The key driver cited by S&P was \u2018Amid further progress in consolidating public finances, the UK\u2019s economic recovery is broadening.\u2019 <\/em><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> S&P have assigned the UK sovereign the top triple AAA rating since they first published a UK rating in 1978. Moody\u2019s and Fitch have assigned the UK the second highest rating Aa1 and AA+ respectively, with a stable outlook.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4262", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Deighton"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Deighton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-19T12:47:32.783Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Rating"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they have had talks with the credit rating agencies with a view to restoring the United Kingdom\u2019s AAA credit rating.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3869", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Myners"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Myners"}
], "uin" : "HL3421"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167908", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167908/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced on 3 December that the Government will redeem 3½% War Loan, thus repaying the vast majority of the nation\u2019s First World War debt. The Chancellor also announced that the Government will adopt a strategy to remove the other remaining undated gilts in the government\u2019s debt portfolio, some of which have origins going back to the eighteenth century, where it is deemed value for money to do so.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> This announcement followed the Government\u2019s decision on 31 October to redeem the much smaller 4% Consolidated Loan, the first planned repayment of an undated gilt of this kind by government for 67 years. The Debt Management Office also announced on 17 December that 3½% Conversion Loan would be redeemed on 1 April 2015. After these redemptions, none of the £2.2bn worth of First World War debt currently in the government\u2019s debt portfolio will remain.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The Treasury will redeem the outstanding £1.9 billion of debt from 3½% War Loan on Monday 9 March 2015, and the 4% Consolidated Loan will be redeemed on 1 February 2015.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The repayments on this debt will go to the holders of these bonds. The Treasury does not hold detailed information on the identity of organisations or individuals who own gilts, however information on sectoral holdings of gilts is published on a quarterly basis by the Office for National Statistics. The latest information on the breakdown of gilt holdings by sector, including a breakdown of non-UK resident holders of gilts by foreign central banks and other non-residents, is published by the ONS in Section 5.2.10 of its quarterly United Kingdom Economic Accounts publication.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> We are only able to take this action today thanks to the difficult decisions that this government has taken to get a grip on the public finances. The fact that we will no longer have to pay the relatively high rate of interest on these gilts means that most important of all, this decision represents great value for money for the taxpayer.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4262", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Deighton"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Deighton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-19T12:45:07.42Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "World War I: Debts"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what arrangements they are making to repay outstanding debt from the First World War; and to whom the repayments will be made.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2479", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Laird"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Laird"}
], "uin" : "HL3432"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167928", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167928/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " At the Girl Summit, hosted by the Prime Minister, in July 2014, the Government set out a clear commitment to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and announced a comprehensive package of domestic measures to achieve this. The Government published update multi-agency guidelines to support better co-ordination of guidance on protecting girls from FGM. On 5 December the Government published a public consultation which seeks views on how to put these guidelines on a statutory basis to increase awareness of FGM and improve compliance with good practice.<\/p> The Government also set out a range of measures to improve the law enforcement response and increase prosecution rates for FGM including the introduction of new legislation, the publication of new police guidance on FGM, and a review by Her Majesty\u2019s Inspectorate of Constabulary into \u2018so called\u2019 honour based violence with a focus on FGM to commence in 2015. In addition, 42 forces have signed joint protocols with the Crown Prosecution Service on the investigation and prosecution of FGM, and the Government published a consultation on 5 December on how to introduce a mandatory reporting duty to increase referrals to the police in order to support more prosecutions.<\/p> A prevalence study on FGM was also published by Equality Now and City University on 22 July, part-funded by the Home Office, identifying that approximately 60, 000 girls aged 0-14 have been born in England and Wales to mothers who had undergone FGM. Further data disaggregated to a local level will be published in early 2015. In addition, the Health and Social Care Information Centre published the first ever NHS FGM data on 16 October. This is a critical first step in understanding the extent of FGM in England as reported to health professionals.<\/p> The Government works in close partnership with stakeholders in reviewing peer studies on FGM, and is committed to identifying and sharing good practice. On 22 July, the Government published a FGM resource pack on gov.uk including examples of good local practice in Bristol informed by the Bristol Peer study.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL3453"}
, {"_value" : "HL3455"}
, {"_value" : "HL3456"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-19T16:21:20.627Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Female Genital Mutilation"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government how they intend to ensure better co-ordination of guidance given to medical practitioners, teachers, and faith leaders on reporting and protecting girls from female genital mutilation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4308", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Lord Bishop of St Albans"}
], "uin" : "HL3452"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167929", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167929/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " At the Girl Summit, hosted by the Prime Minister, in July 2014, the Government set out a clear commitment to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and announced a comprehensive package of domestic measures to achieve this. The Government published update multi-agency guidelines to support better co-ordination of guidance on protecting girls from FGM. On 5 December the Government published a public consultation which seeks views on how to put these guidelines on a statutory basis to increase awareness of FGM and improve compliance with good practice.<\/p> The Government also set out a range of measures to improve the law enforcement response and increase prosecution rates for FGM including the introduction of new legislation, the publication of new police guidance on FGM, and a review by Her Majesty\u2019s Inspectorate of Constabulary into \u2018so called\u2019 honour based violence with a focus on FGM to commence in 2015. In addition, 42 forces have signed joint protocols with the Crown Prosecution Service on the investigation and prosecution of FGM, and the Government published a consultation on 5 December on how to introduce a mandatory reporting duty to increase referrals to the police in order to support more prosecutions.<\/p> A prevalence study on FGM was also published by Equality Now and City University on 22 July, part-funded by the Home Office, identifying that approximately 60, 000 girls aged 0-14 have been born in England and Wales to mothers who had undergone FGM. Further data disaggregated to a local level will be published in early 2015. In addition, the Health and Social Care Information Centre published the first ever NHS FGM data on 16 October. This is a critical first step in understanding the extent of FGM in England as reported to health professionals.<\/p> The Government works in close partnership with stakeholders in reviewing peer studies on FGM, and is committed to identifying and sharing good practice. On 22 July, the Government published a FGM resource pack on gov.uk including examples of good local practice in Bristol informed by the Bristol Peer study.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL3452"}
, {"_value" : "HL3455"}
, {"_value" : "HL3456"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-19T16:21:20.927Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Female Genital Mutilation"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government how they intend to increase prosecution rates against those who have committed offences relating to female genital mutilation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4308", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Lord Bishop of St Albans"}
], "uin" : "HL3453"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167930", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/167930/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Long-term and systematic eradication of female genital mutilation in the UK will require practising communities to abandon the practice themselves. To keep girls safe we need to work directly with local people who know what will work in their areas.<\/p> <\/p> Faith has an important role to play. At the Girl Summit we launched declarations for faith leaders to sign against female genital mutilation and forced marriage. These have now been signed by over 350 leaders from all major faiths. These declarations make it clear that no religion condones the practice.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Government Equalities Office have also committed £270,000 to community projects to prevent female genital mutilation and other forms of so-called honour based violence. We recently announced the projects that successfully secured this funding. We will fund 17 community projects which include three organisations that will set up networks of community champions against female genital mutilation and forced marriage.<\/p> <\/p> Many of these projects will work with young people. Brave young women and men have been at the forefront of campaigning against female genital mutilation and their courage and determination inspire us all to do more. Videos of the projects can be found at http://www.thinglink.com/scene/597214845217013762<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>
This funding is in addition to £100,000 committed by the Home Office to run a female genital mutilation community engagement initiative. The Home Office is funding 12 voluntary and community sector organisations to carry out community work to raise awareness of female genital mutilation amongst women already affected by this and young girls at-risk, as well as men in the community.<\/p>
On 5 December 2014 the Government also launched a new female genital mutilation unit to drive a step change in nationwide outreach on female genital mutilation with criminal justice partners, children's services, healthcare professionals and affected communities.<\/p>
The unit will deliver outreach support to local areas to assist them in developing their local response to tackling female genital mutilation and to raise awareness of the unit. The first phase of this work will be carried out in a series of training workshops which Forward UK are delivering to Local Safeguarding Children's Boards in high prevalence female genital mutilation areas.<\/p>
The unit will also offer bespoke targeted peer support to local areas who want to strengthen their ability to tackle female genital mutilation. Organisations interested in receiving peer support or an outreach presentation can email the unit at<\/p>