Oral QuestionDepartment for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

What recent assessment the Government has made of the security of elections from foreign interference.

Tabled: 23 November 2021Answered: 29 November 2021

Asked by

Cat Smith

LabourLancaster and Wyre

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Answer from Hansard

The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson)

Under the previous Government, shop theft was allowed to reach epidemic proportions. There was a 70% increase in the last two years of the previous Government. We are working hard to tackle this epidemic in every area of our country, including rural areas. Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we are introducing a new stand-alone offence of assault against a retail worker. We will not tolerate workers facing abuse and violence simply for doing their job, whether that is in towns or in rural areas.