Contributions
2,140 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPrison Officers: Pension AgeI thank the hon. Lady for raising this matter. I have in fact met the Prison Officers Association; indeed, I was delighted to attend its conference in Eastbourne a couple of…05 Jul 2022HANSARDRape and Sexual Abuse VictimsThe Government are committed to supporting victims of rape and sexual violence. We have seen rape convictions increase by two thirds since 2020, but we are committed to doing much…05 Jul 2022HANSARDRape and Sexual Abuse VictimsThe hon. Gentleman is right to identify the concerns that victims have from the very first moment of reaching out for support from the police in reporting these offences. As I…05 Jul 2022HANSARDRape and Sexual Abuse VictimsI am extremely grateful to the shadow Minister for raising that matter. You know, Mr Speaker, that I wrote to you privately concerning conduct in this Chamber, because how we…05 Jul 2022HANSARDReoffending Rates: Friday ReleasesI know that accessing timely support on release can be particularly challenging on a Friday and that that can increase the risk of reoffending. That is why the Government have…05 Jul 2022HANSARDReoffending Rates: Friday ReleasesI thank my hon. Friend, who has a long record of tackling homelessness. We are particularly conscious of the impact that homelessness can have on ex-offenders released from…05 Jul 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsA huge body of work is going on across every part of the criminal justice system, from the police to the Crown Prosecution Service and through to the courts. It involves the…05 Jul 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for that kind invitation; I would be delighted to attend. On the impact of intergenerational trauma, one of the many reasons we are piloting the first…05 Jul 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsVery much so. As my hon. Friend knows from occasions when I have given evidence to the Justice Committee, we are keeping this under close review. We want the children who are held…05 Jul 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsI thank the right hon. Lady for raising those historical cases. They are in the system and the injection of investment—£477 million in the overall Crown court system—will help…28 Jun 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsI thank my hon. Friend for highlighting that. I genuinely encourage every Member to look at the figures and have those conversations with their local police and CPS to understand…28 Jun 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsI hope the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I cannot comment on an individual case. On local policing, the local CPS and the application of all the measures we have talked…28 Jun 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsI thank my hon. Friend, who brings his professional expertise into this Chamber. He is right to say that the focus on a victim’s credibility has in the past meant that too many…28 Jun 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsThe hon. Lady hits on a sensitive point, in that the “Code for Crown Prosecutors” sets out the tests that prosecutors must apply, not simply in cases of sexual violence but across…28 Jun 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsI reiterate that this is a priority for this Government, from the Prime Minister downwards. It is also a priority for colleagues on the Back Benches from across the House, who…28 Jun 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsWe have measured it very carefully and we have committed to doubling the number of cases received in the Crown court by the end of this Parliament. This is a work in progress.28 Jun 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsThere are many ways in which we can support victims. One is through specialist support such as ISVAs and the victims charities that do such a vital job of working with women and…28 Jun 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsDay in, day out, this Government are focused on trying to improve results for victims.28 Jun 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsOne of the disappointments of the hon. Lady’s responses, and indeed her advocacy last week, is that in the past we have been able to find cross-party consensus on matters that are…28 Jun 2022HANSARDRape: Criminal ProsecutionsThey are criticising the Crown Prosecution Service, which is operationally independent, and the courts, which are constitutionally and operationally independent. All three of…28 Jun 2022