Labour leader criticises Scampton proposals during Scunthorpe visit

Sir Keir Starmer spoke to people at the Arc community centre

Labour leader visits Scunthorpe
Published 6th Apr 2023

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been in Scunthorpe today.

He was at the Arc community centre on the Westcliffe estate where he discussed the issue of violence against women and girls.

He was also asked his reaction to the Government looking to house asylum seekers at the former RAF Scampton base.

This is an iconic site

Sir Keir said: "I think the Government's completely wrong to press ahead with the plan to house 2,000 asylum seekers at Scampton."

"It will cut across, drive a coach and horses through a really important initiative for investment, jobs, tech jobs in an area that desperately needs them."

"It's also likely to ruin the legacy of the Dambusters, this is an iconic site."

"This is wrong, completely wrong and I'm not surprised at the level of opposition."

He also spoke about violence against women and girls.

I'm determined to do it

He told us: "I think it's very important that we do make the streets safer - too many women and girls feel that it's not safe."

"What I've set out is a mission for an incoming Labour Government, if we're privileged to get into power, to halve the incidents against women and girls."

"Now that is a big thing but I'm determined to do it".

"Before I was a politician I was director of the public prosecution service and did a lot of work on violence against women and girls."

We have to clamp down on anti social behaviour

"I feel we've gone backwards not forwards and I'm determined to turn that around."

He was also asked about anti social behaviour.

He said: "We've got to clamp down on it, I think the answer to that is new neighbourhood police officers and support officers."

"They're the officers that know their patch, can do the preventative work, because they talk to their communities but also can do the enforcement work after the event.

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