Contributions
1,452 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDViolent Offenders: Early ReleaseI thank the hon. Member for pointing out the failures of the previous Government, and their refusal to exempt domestic abusers and offenders who have committed violence against…03 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims of Sexual AbuseWe fund key support services, such as independent sexual violence and domestic abuse advisers. The Crown Prosecution Service has introduced victim liaison officers to ensure that…03 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims of Sexual AbuseMy hon. Friend is right. As the House knows, justice delayed is justice denied. That is why this Government have doubled magistrate sentencing powers and funded a record number of…03 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims of Sexual AbuseI thank the hon. Member for raising that case. I am pleased that the review is taking place. Victims of child sexual abuse are victims of some of the most heinous crimes in our…03 Jun 2025HANSARDWeddings: Humanist CelebrantsHumanists have long campaigned to conduct legally binding weddings, and we are grateful for the contribution they make to our society. Marriage is an important institution and we…03 Jun 2025HANSARDWeddings: Humanist CelebrantsNo one will be more excited to don a hat for the first legally binding humanist wedding than me. However, we must consider whether legislating to provide for humanist marriage…03 Jun 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for that vital question. We are giving judges the statutory power to order offenders to attend their sentencing hearings. We are also making it clear that…03 Jun 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy sympathies are with my hon. Friend’s constituent. It is vital that victims are notified. Those victims who are currently eligible for the victim notification scheme should be…03 Jun 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for raising that vital point. This Government are looking at character references carefully, and we will bring forward information on that in due course.03 Jun 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank the Chair of the Justice Committee for that important question. He will know that our manifesto committed to reforming cohabitation law, and we will be bringing forward…03 Jun 2025HANSARDDecriminalising AbortionIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Dowd. I thank my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Tony Vaughan) for opening this debate. I echo the…02 Jun 2025HANSARDDecriminalising AbortionI will come back to my hon. Friend with that information once I have spoken to officials to find out the exact details. The Government remain neutral on the policy, but we are…02 Jun 2025HANSARD Victims and Courts BillIt is important to look at any Law Commission recommendations properly and effectively. Of course there will be time, because we are in the first year of a five-year Parliament…20 May 2025HANSARD Victims and Courts BillMy hon. Friend is a champion for the cause of protecting children going through the family courts, as is my hon. Friend the Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Dr Tidball),…20 May 2025HANSARD Victims and Courts BillIt is a true privilege to deliver the closing speech on Second Reading of the Victims and Courts Bill. I would like to start by paying tribute to the families of Olivia…20 May 2025HANSARDCoroner Services: West MidlandsMy condolences to you on your loss, Madam Deputy Speaker. I congratulate the hon. Member for Birmingham Perry Barr (Ayoub Khan) on securing this important debate. I thank him for…15 May 2025HANSARDCoroner Services: West MidlandsI appreciate the hon. Member’s contribution. As I have said, that guidance is there and that equipment is available to coroners if they deem it necessary. Of course, we want to…15 May 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I understand that the purpose of the new clause is to create a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing for any individual who has financially benefited from the creation,…13 May 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Fifteenth sitting)The new clause seeks to make the starting punishment for child murder a whole life order. I thank the shadow Minister for his commitment to tackling crimes involving children and…13 May 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Fifteenth sitting)New clause 50 seeks the automatic removal of parental responsibility where a parent has been convicted of a serious sexual offence against a child. To begin with, I wish to be…13 May 2025