Drive to tackle antisocial behaviour in young people

A thousand of the most challenging young people in England will be targeted for non-negotiable intervention as part of a drive to prevent future antisocial behaviour.

It will spend over £200 million in three areas:

• Tough enforcement where behaviour is unacceptable or illegal;
• Non-negotiable support to address the underlying causes of poor behaviour;
• Better prevention to tackle problems before they become serious and well-established, and to prevent problems arising in the first place.

It is right that our first priority has been to put in place legislation to stop antisocial behaviour in its tracks to bring respite to communities. But this action will go further to tackle antisocial behaviour by making sure we take strong actions to tackle the underlying causes such as substance misuse and family breakdown.

Communities want lasting improvements and that means not only stopping bad behaviour when it occurs but also changing it and intervening early to stop bad behaviour spiralling into future offending.

That is also why we are investing record sums in positive activities for young people to make sure they have places to go and things to do at weekends and in the evenings.

Recognising these problems doesn't condone bad behaviour - nor is help a soft option. In the end where young people and families don't accept help to change their behaviour then the right thing to do is to use Antisocial Behaviour Orders and Individual Support Orders.

This builds on the work of the Respect Taskforce by focusing on dealing with problems early and prevention alongside enforcement.

Young people will have to agree to a contract and will receive an assertive key worker to help them confront the causes for their bad behaviour. For example if substance misuse is a cause, they will receive drug treatment.

The support provided by the action plan is non-negotiable and if young people don’t take their help, enforcement measures such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Individual Support Orders will be used.

CUTS TO SURE START WON'T MAKE CAMERON FAMILY FRIENDLY

In a recent speech David Cameron indicated that the Tories would make cuts to Sure Start.

I believe David Cameron should be supporting Sure Start, not planning cuts to a service many families rely on simply in response to his poor polling performance with families. 

Sure Start is making a difference to thousands of families up and down the country. I know what a difference centres make in Hall Green Cuts to Sure Start would hit the poorest hardest.

Labour has delivered better childcare and more family friendly rights at work, despite continued opposition from David Cameron and the Conservative Party.

MORE MONEY FOR OUR TROOPS

This week the Secretary of State for Defence has announced an increase in Commitment bonuses for the Armed Forces worth up to £15,000, to reward those who stay in the armed forces.

The maximum currently available (£5,500) will be almost trebled to a maximum of £15,000. 

This full amount will be for those who remain in the Armed Forces for a total of 8 years.

The Commitment Bonus will help our troops to fulfil their ambitions, whether it be buying their own home, a new family car or simply to provide additional financial security for them and their family.

Protecting the public from cowboy bailiffs

People have a right to recover their debts, but no-one should have the right to threaten, bully or intimidate people just to collect cash they are owed.

I'm pleased that Labour has this week announced plans to protect householders from unscrupulous bailiffs in England and Wales.

Regulation of bailiffs is an important part of protecting householders in disputes over debts and fines and will ensure only licensed agents are able to enter a property.

These rules will raise the level of professionalism among bailiffs by ensuring they are trained and know their legal limits.

It will also ensure the public is protected by a properly regulated sector.

The new measures will mean -

? More training for bailiffs to stamp out cowboy practices
? Set qualifications to raise standards
? A powerful independent regulator