Question
Around 1,000 constituents in Dunfermline recently told me in a city centre survey that they were concerned about coming into the city centre, to places such as the bus station and the Kingsgate shopping centre, because of antisocial behaviour. Will the Minister agree to work with the Scottish Government on the respect orders to ensure that lessons can be learned on both sides of the border, so that people can feel safe in Dunfermline and across England, Scotland and Wales?
Answer
I am very happy to work with anybody who is committed to tackling antisocial behaviour. The Government have introduced not just respect orders, but extended dispersal directions. We have raised the maximum fixed penalties for public spaces protection orders from £100 to £500. We are passing legislation, putting neighbourhood police into our neighbourhoods and tackling antisocial behaviour.25% vibes
Verdict: RED (20/100)
The reply says the government would work with anyone committed to tackling antisocial behaviour, but it does not name the Scottish Government or commit to any specific joint work. It does not address the 'lessons learned' part of the question. The policy details it gives concern England and Wales rather than cross-border cooperation, so the question is only partly and vaguely answered, and the person who asked would likely need to ask again for specifics.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Minister agree to work with the Scottish Government on respect orders so that lessons can be learned on both sides of the border? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply's willingness to work 'with anybody who is committed to tackling antisocial behaviour' gestures at agreement, but it never names the Scottish Government or commits to a specific joint exercise, and the 'lessons learned' element is not engaged. The statement about respect orders and extended dispersal directions describes England and Wales policy rather than any cross-border exchange, so it does not supply the missing answer. |