Branch secretary praised for campaign work in House of Commons

12 February 2024

A Suffolk MP has ‘applauded’ branch secretary Ben Hudson during a debate in the House of Commons, for his work surrounding the Federation’s #SimplifyDG6 campaign.

During a debate on the Police Grant Report, which took place on Wednesday (7 February), Peter Aldous MP, who represents Suffolk’s Waveney constituency said the job of a police officer would be made ‘easier and happier’ if the Government ‘reduced unnecessary red tape’.

He went on to throw his support behind the Police Federation of England and Wales’ (PFEW) #SimplifyDG6 campaign, which is being led by Ben.

“I applaud the work of Ben Hudson, who is the secretary and treasurer of Suffolk Police Federation on their campaign to amend the Data Protection Act and Data Information Bill,” he said, before recognising that the campaign had been supported by fellow MP, Jane Hunt, who represents Loughborough.

Mr Aldous said that a further amendment to the Data Protection Bill is being tabled in the House of Lords by Baroness Morgan, before adding: “I would really love the Government to look at this issue very, very closely and do all they can to accept it.

Branch secretary Ben Hudson.

“It will, in doing so, free up thousands of policing hours every year and would enable chief constables to better utilise allocated budgets.”

He ended with: “Finally, please, please, less red tape.”

Changes by the CPS to disclosure rules resulted in investigating officers spending more than four extra hours per case on redaction, PFEW said. In some instances, the delays have resulted in victims withdrawing.
Ben, who is also chair of the Police Federation National Detectives’ Forum, has been leading the #SimplifyDG6 campaign since its launch in 2022.

“It’s extremely positive to see that our #SimplifyDG6 campaign is still being supported at such a high level,” said Ben, adding: “Mr Aldous is always looking for ways to help the Federation achieve its goals. 

“Mr Aldous and Ms Hunt [Loughborough MP] have both given the Federation a voice when it matters, and their continued support is greatly appreciated.

“We have taken big steps forward since the launch of the campaign, and it’s promising to see that pressure is still being applied to the Government to adopt our amendment into the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.

“These amendments will simplify the reaction obligations placed on police officers. In essence, all unnecessary redaction would be avoided.”

PFEW provided evidence on disclosure and redaction - and a range of other issues - to the Home Affairs Committee for its inquiry on policing priorities.

The committee, which also took evidence from academics and policing bodies, was looking at topics including culture change, balancing demand, retention, funding, training, community policing and improving national conviction rates.

Much of PFEW’s evidence has been incorporated into the final publication of the findings and recommendations, including asks from its #SimplifyDG6 campaign.

Now, thanks to the campaign, and support from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Affairs Committee has recommended the Home Office speed up its work with the Attorney General’s Office and CPS to identify potential solutions, including considering necessary changes to data protection regulations.

PFEW has a feasible, legally-approved, drafted clause ready to be adopted into the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, with the support of Ms Hunt, who sits on the Bill’s committee.

Ben is now urging other MPs to lobby the Government to support this amendment to the Act.

“The campaign continues and we need to see as many MPs as possible get behind us if we want those amendments to be made," he ended.

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