Member

Beyond the technical objection, the Government have yet to offer a convincing explanation of why DWP officials need this power at all. Ministers have said that the police will always be present to secure a site and to engage with anyone against whom these powers might need to be used. If that is the plan, why not simply leave the use of force to the police? That is what the police are trained, equipped and legally authorised to do. That point has been made around the Chamber this afternoon. We believe there is no credible justification for extending that power to departmental investigators.