Policing and Crime Bill

Our Amendment 68A is in this group. At this stage, before we debate clause stand part, I simply want to say that, in our view, the only sort of courses that women should be offered—"required" is too strong a word—are ones that will really help them to get out of prostitution. As the Minister will appreciate, that usually starts with improving their economic prospects. I tabled this amendment because what mostly stops these women improving their economic prospects is the fact that they may not be receiving any of the benefits to which they are entitled; the fact that they may not be aware of other employment opportunities and the training opportunities that go with them; and the fact that affordable childcare is one of the biggest reasons why many women find it difficult to take up other forms of employment. There are a number of women to whom none of those factors will apply, and, as we heard, some women will want to continue to work in the sex industry because it pays very well. Nevertheless, if the Government are serious about offering alternatives, they need to be very focused on exactly which courses are on offer. I shall leave the other main parts of my argument until the debate on clause stand part.