Contributions
411 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPrison Officers: Pension AgeThe Government recognise that pension age is an important issue for frontline staff and our recognised trade unions that represent the views of their members. Officials met POA…11 Nov 2025HANSARDManaging Repeat OffendersMy hon. Friend is absolutely right that those in our Probation Service do an outstanding job day in, day out. They are often the hidden heroes of our public services and they…11 Nov 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillYes. Legal aid is vital, and the right to legal aid is important. The Government understand that right and will continue to look at it. There are financial constraints, which we…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillAs I say, I am not going to pre-empt the Law Commission’s review of homicide law, but I am sympathetic to the new clause. I look forward to meeting the victim’s family and we will…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillAgain, as the shadow Minister knows, for each offence the judge will have full discretion over the sentence. When I have spoken to victims of domestic abuse—I have worked with and…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillIn that regard, the most important part of the Bill is the domestic abuse identifier. It has been worked on, on a cross-party basis, with outside organisations that are…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillAs I have said, we do not accept that there is a problem, but if there is, we will look to fix it, because that would not be right. The scenario the hon. and learned Member…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillI absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. She raised this important issue in a recent Adjournment debate. We are taking steps to provide further work provision in our prisons,…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillAs always, I welcome the contributions of the Chair of the Justice Committee. I am very aware of the array of amendments that he and I discussed before Committee stage last week.…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillWe will speak to Home Office colleagues and others to look at the possibility of doing that, absolutely. The hon. Lady has my word—as does her constituent, who is no doubt…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillI will finish this point before I give way, because I am dealing with the right hon. Member’s amendments. More broadly, we know that suspended sentences and community sentences…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillWe have identified a problem, but it would be wholly irresponsible to legislate when we have not had the opportunity to ensure that public services can complete the task. The hon.…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillI am grateful to my hon. Friend. The answer is yes. A problem in the system has been identified, and we are determined to fix it. It simply cannot be right that some horrific…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillMy hon. Friend is absolutely right; this Bill will not only stabilise the prison system, but go further and tackle reoffending. She mentioned the intensive supervision courts, but…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillI thank all Members who have contributed to the debate. This Bill is a landmark piece of legislation that gives us the chance to put an end to the prison capacity crisis and build…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillThe judge on any given case, where there has been an awful offence such as that, will have the power under this legislation to send that person to prison. That is absolutely right…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing Billindicated assent .29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillI thank my hon. Friend’s father for his service. Prison officers across the country do a brilliant and important job. My hon. Friend is absolutely right; I have sat through hours…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillThe hon. Member always makes that point, and he thinks it a good point. Towards the end of 14 years of Conservative government, the Conservatives suddenly realised they had not…29 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillI beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. It is a pleasure to speak at the Third Reading of this landmark legislation. I begin by expressing my gratitude to all…29 Oct 2025