Question
In 2021 my colleague Daniel Johnson MSP introduced landmark protections for Scottish shop workers, following a campaign by USDAW and the Co-operative party, but legislation is not enough. Community policing has declined in Scotland, and my constituents in Winchburgh, Armadale and Bathgate report rising retail crime and abuse of shop workers. Ahead of legislation commencing in England, what discussions has the Minister had with the Scottish Government to learn from Scotland’s experience, and what investment has she made in frontline policing to protect shop workers and communities?
Answer
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that alongside legislation, we need to ensure that we have the police in our communities and neighbourhoods to tackle crime. We have put 3,800 new police—extra police—in our neighbourhoods since we came to power. The collaboration between police and shop workers is having really good results in a lot of our town centres, and I encourage the Scottish National party Government to look at ensuring the same in Scotland.
Verdict: AMBER (45/100)
The reply answers one of the two parts of the question in a clear way. It gives a specific figure, 3,800 additional police in neighbourhoods since the Government took power, in response to the question about investment in frontline policing. It does not address the other part, which asked about engagement with the Scottish Government on shop worker protections; its only reference to Scotland is a call for the Scottish Government to act. The person who asked would likely need to submit a follow-up question about that second part.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the nature of the Minister's engagement with the Scottish Government on this topic, to learn from Scotland's experience of shop worker protections? | Not Addressed | Generic | The only Scotland-related statement is an exhortation for the SNP Government to 'look at ensuring the same in Scotland', which says nothing about the nature, frequency, or content of any engagement with the Scottish Government on shop worker protections. |
| What investment has the Minister made in frontline policing to protect shop workers and communities? | Addressed | Direct | The reply gives a concrete figure of 3,800 additional police in neighbourhoods since the Government took power, which directly answers what investment has been made in frontline policing, and links it to tackling crime. |