Blears stands by Home Office plan to “name and shame”

Home Office minister Hazel Blears today stood firm on the
government’s recently announced intention to “name and
shame” individuals issued with antisocial behaviour orders,
writes Maria Ahmed in London.

Giving evidence to the home affairs select committee’s
inquiry into antisocial behaviour, the minister insisted that the
measure was “was not about stigmatising” young
people.

The committee also heard a breakdown of the Antisocial Behaviour
Unit’s budget.

The majority of the budget for 2004-5 – £9 million –
was spent on crime and disorder reduction partnerships. However, a
significant chunk was given to campaigns and communication
materials while just £300,000 of the £24 million total
budget was set aside for parenting projects.

John Denham, chair of the committee, highlighted previous
evidence submitted by the Youth Justice Board that found only 250
youth prevention projects received government funding although
1,300 projects needed funding.

He also quoted evidence from the Association of Directors of
Social Services about the lack of funding for parenting orders.

Blears admitted that resources were “limited”, and
suggested putting more pressure on local authorities to divert more
resources to such programmes.

The hearing was the final session of the home affairs select
committee into antisocial behaviour.