Clause 68
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
3:15 pm
Vernon Coaker (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Gedling, Labour)
Let me say at the beginning of this clause stand part debate that improving asset recovery through the civil route—I shall not stray, Mr. Benton, into the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the criminal route and confiscation orders—is crucial work for all of us. That so many criminals are seen to gain from their activity, in such a way that people are amazed that we cannot do more to take away their ill-gotten gains, is something that unites us all.
Nothing undermines our communities more than some young person seeing people who are obviously living beyond their means flaunting their wealth. Whether improvements are made through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002—the criminal route—or through the civil route, we simply must do better. We must show people that getting up in the morning, working hard at school, getting qualifications and then going to work, with the values that we all appreciate and want for ourselves, our communities and our children, should be seen to be at the forefront of what we want to achieve. I know that there is no disagreement in the Committee on that, but it is important to assert the fact.