Laura Kuenssberg: Troubling issues clatter onto Yvette Cooper's desk


Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is grappling with several complicated and emotionally-charged issues that have landed on her desk. The Southport murders, the grooming gangs scandal, and a new row with police forces — which warn they face cuts despite extra funding — are just a few of the problems facing Cooper. Her successes or failures have an impact on everyone’s lives, as she’s responsible for the safety of our streets, counterterrorism efforts, and policing the border.

Cooper has extensive experience in the government and in her brief, having studied every nook and cranny of the Home Affairs Committee and as shadow home secretary. One insider says she is “methodical and very thorough.” She has several critical issues to solve, which cannot be handled in a hurry, and Labour needs to demonstrate its accomplishments to voters as soon as possible.

One of the significant issues Cooper faces is the surge in AI-generated child sexual abuse. The use of artificial intelligence to create illegal content depicting children is growing at an alarming rate, with reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse rising by 380% in the last 12 months. Cooper has already promised to introduce new legislation in the coming weeks to tackle this problem.

Despite Cooper’s reputation as an expert in her brief, the list of issues on her list is dizzying — from record levels of shoplifting with brazen attacks being carried out on retailers to halving violence against women and girls. Moreover, the government’s plan to make France accept migrants is seen as necessary to reduce the number of migrant crossings.

The Home Office is known for its low morale, and the department is struggling to deliver, according to a senior Whitehall official. But with so much at stake, the safety and protection of the country, and public trust and confidence, Labour better hope Cooper’s plans reap rewards

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