Contributions
622 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDGrooming GangsI start by congratulating my hon. Friend on receiving the Ukrainian Order of Merit from President Zelensky for her tireless campaigning for the children of Ukraine. She and I…05 Feb 2026HANSARDGrooming GangsThis Government remain absolutely committed to stamping out the appalling crimes of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The national inquiry chaired by Baroness Longfield is due…05 Feb 2026HANSARDJury TrialsAny changes will need to go through legislation in this House in the normal way and I am sure that the Conservatives will want to scrutinise any proposals that we put forward. I…05 Feb 2026HANSARDJury TrialsIn December, the Deputy Prime Minister set out the measures that this Government are taking to tackle the crisis in our courts. As I have stated in the House previously, jury…05 Feb 2026HANSARDJury TrialsThe hon. Gentleman is wrong to say that we are getting rid of jury trials. I will say it again: less than 3% of cases are currently heard by a jury. Under the proposals, some…18 Dec 2025HANSARDLegal Professions: DiversityI am sure my hon. Friend will agree that a fair and just legal system, which must work for everyone, must also reflect society as a whole. The Government Legal Department has…18 Dec 2025HANSARDRural CrimeMy hon. Friend is a strong advocate for tackling violence against women and girls in his constituency and beyond. He is right that we need to see swifter justice, which is why we…18 Dec 2025HANSARDJury TrialsMy hon. Friend makes an important point. He will know that Sir Brian Leveson, in his report, said that investment on its own is not enough; radical reform is also needed. This…18 Dec 2025HANSARDJury TrialsJury trials make up 3% of cases currently heard in the criminal courts. It is important for both victims and defendants that they are not waiting years and years for their cases…18 Dec 2025HANSARDJury Trialsrose—18 Dec 2025HANSARDJury TrialsThe hon. Lady will know that in the judicial oath, judges swear to act “without fear or favour, affection or ill will”, and they decide cases in line with the law and the facts of…18 Dec 2025HANSARDJury TrialsI am delighted that the Minister for Safeguarding, my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Yardley (Jess Phillips), will today announce a landmark cross-Government strategy to…18 Dec 2025HANSARDViolence Against Women and GirlsThis year I expect to have received in the region of 900 referrals to look at sentences under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. It is an important part of our criminal justice…18 Dec 2025HANSARDLegal Professions: DiversityMy hon. Friend makes an important point. It is vital that the judiciary and the legal profession continue to reflect the society they serve. We are working to bring in new and…18 Dec 2025HANSARDJury TrialsI take very seriously the proposals put forward by Sir Brian Leveson, which made it clear that because of the crisis in the justice system, and the backlog of 80,000 cases left by…18 Dec 2025HANSARDProsecution Rates: Bournemouth EastMy hon. Friend makes a good point. I know that he has convened a meeting in his constituency on retail crime with high street businesses, and he has been vocal, both in the…18 Dec 2025HANSARDViolence Against Women and GirlsMy hon. Friend is right to highlight the devastating impact that VAWG has on victims and their families; it can affect every aspect of their lives, and I commend her brave…18 Dec 2025HANSARDJury TrialsJustice delayed is justice denied. The previous Conservative Government allowed this crisis to develop in our criminal courts, with rape victims waiting up to three years for…18 Dec 2025HANSARDJury TrialsThe Government are committed to supporting survivors of domestic abuse and ensuring that they have access to justice. I recently visited the brilliant specialist domestic abuse…18 Dec 2025HANSARDProsecution Rates: Bournemouth EastThe most granular data that I can provide is for the Dorset police area, where the crime with the highest prosecution volume is shoplifting, followed by driving under the…18 Dec 2025