Commons Chamber

Tuesday 20th May 2025

(began 7 months ago)

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Torsten Bell Portrait Torsten Bell MP, The Parliamentary Secretary, HM Treasury (Swansea West, Labour)
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A few weeks ago I held a roundtable in my constituency with hospitality businesses, hotels, night-time economy businesses and pubs. It was just after the first national insurance rise payment which means those businesses were which means those businesses were devastated and have fewer jobs and apprentices and less investment. apprentices and less investment. Will the Chancellor be raising taxes Will the Chancellor be raising taxes again in coming months? Can the Chancellor assure these businesses they will not be coming back for more? more? The Secretary is welcoming deals done yesterday and are worried about the Conservative Party which cannot welcome a single trade deal with any country around the world and the party of Robert Peel has turned its

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back on the entire world. The Hot Sun in Haywards Heath and

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The Hot Sun in Haywards Heath and

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The Hot Sun in Haywards Heath and the Brickworks are microbreweries serving constituencies in Sussex. Given the pressure of national insurance and business rates, but is the Treasury doing to support these innovative businesses?

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innovative businesses? I think everybody in this House enjoys the proliferation of enjoys the proliferation of microbreweries and that is why the government is supporting draft beer and cider and knocking one pence of and cider and knocking one pence of the price of a pint because it is important to support pubs and the brewers which produced the content brewers which produced the content that is sold in them. that is sold in them. The previous adviser of Labour says it is tougher for the economy today that it was during the pandemic but that it was during the pandemic but the Chancellor is ignoring the advice and pushing ahead with measures which have been called the death sentence for pubs, bars, clubs.

Can the Minister and clubs. Can the Minister and Chancellor not see that the future of the infancy is fatally undermined by the anti-growth taxation? Three what is anti-growth is the party opposite which sat over 15 long opposite which sat over 15 long years of decline, unprecedented economic stagnation. Our job is to support the industry more generally and we are reducing red tape for the cross-government task force are cross-government task force are living away from the year by your chaotic system put in place by the party opposite and engaging with the hospitality sector all the time.
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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who are most vulnerable? At the budget last year we increased the rate of tax on non- doms, increase capital gains tax, increased carried interest on bonuses and we introduced VAT on bonuses and we introduced VAT on private schools. This government is ensuring that the wealthiest pay their fair share because that is a basic labour principle.

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We will let the Front Benchers

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We now come to the statement We now come to the statement from the Prime Minister, EU trade oral statement. With permission, I would like to

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With permission, I would like to update the House on the three recent update the House on the three recent trade deals we have struck in the national interest. But first, I would like to do something about the horrific situation in Gaza. Where horrific situation in Gaza. Where the level of suffering, innocent children being bombed again, is children being bombed again, is utterly intolerable. Over the weekend, we coordinated a response weekend, we coordinated a response with our allies, as set out in my statement with President Macron, and Prime Minister Carney last night.

I Prime Minister Carney last night. I want to put on record today that we are horrified with the escalation from Israel. We repeat our demand for a ceasefire is the only way to for a ceasefire is the only way to free the hostages. We repeat our opposition to settlements in the West Bank and we repeat our demand to massively scale up humanitarian assistance into Gaza. The recent announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza, the basic quantity, is totally and utterly inadequate.

So we must coordinate our response because this what has gone on for far too long. We cannot allow the people of Gaza to staff and the Foreign Secretary will come to the House shortly to set out our response in detail. Let me turn to the three deals the government has struck. The principles we took to the negotiations are clear and simple. Does it drive down bills? Does it drive up jobs? Does it strengthen our borders? In each case, the answer is resoundingly, yes! These deals releases from the tired arguments of the past, and as an independent, sovereign nation, allow us to seize the opportunities of the future.

The message across the globe that Britain is back on the world stage. Trade deal with the world's fastest-growing economy, India. Cutting tariffs for British industries, huge boost for our whiskey engine distilleries, their whiskey engine distilleries, their only concern now is whether they can produce enough to sell. And for car manufacturers, tariffs/from over 100 percent to just 10 percent. No concessions on visas. Trade deal with the world's richest economy, the United States. Slashing tariffs, saving thousands upon thousands of jobs in car manufacturing, in places like JL R.

Protecting steel and aluminium exports and safeguarding interest for hugely important pharmaceutical sector. But I can already see that when it comes to this hat-trick of deals, it is our new partnership with the EU that they most want to talk about. Given their abject failure to strike a deal with India or the US, I cannot say I blame them. Let me spell out the benefits of this deal which gives our country an unprecedented level of access to the EU market.

The best access of any nation outside the EU or after. I will start with our security. When Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine over three years ago now, the gauntlet was thrown down and it was our responsibility to step up. This is what the world demands and what the partnership delivers. Strengthening national security, through our new security and defence partnership. That paves the way for British defence firms to access the EU's 150 euros billion defence fund.

That will support British jobs, British wages, British livelihoods. The partnership also increases cooperation on emissions trading, saving UK businesses from having to pay up to £800 million of EU carbon Once again backing British businesses. The deal will drive down bills with increased cooperation on energy, because the agreement negotiated by the party opposite left us with a more expensive way of working with our neighbours. It is structure despite our grids being connected by undersea's -- a needless rupture despite our grids being connected by undersea cables.

It also strengthens borders. The previous deal left a huge gap, we can our ability to work together to tackle labour migration. The ultimate challenge. This partnership closes that gap, including joint work on returns, preventing Channel crossings and working upstream in key source and transit countries. Cooperating with the whole migration route to strengthen our hand. It helps law-enforcement, combating terrorist and serious or. With agencies like Europol, and better sharing of intelligence and data. including facial recognition.

It helps British holidaymakers because they will be able to use E gates when they travel to Europe, ending the queues to passport control. And it helps young people, we are on a path towards a controlled youth experienced scheme with firm capital numbers and visa controls. The relationship we had with so many countries around the world, some set up by the party opposite. We should be proud to give our young people that opportunity. Not for the first time, this government has delivered for Britain's steel industry.

Protecting hours -- our steel exports from EU tariffs, backing the steel sector to the hilt. We have a new deal, as promised in our manifesto, that will cut the price of the weekly shop, more money in the pockets of working people, less red tape for exporters. No more lorry drivers queueing for 16 hours at the border with rotting food in the back. No more needless cheques, because of the consequence of their policies that made it so much harder to trade, even within our own market between Great Britain and Northern That means that British goods have been of the menu in Europe can regain their true place including shellfish which are hugely important in Devon and Cornwall.

The deal on fish provides stability with no limit to the amount EU vessels can catch in British waters but also slashes redtape for the export market. We sell 70% of our see fit into that market. It's an opportunity and British victories will look to export. The reaction to the deal from business has been absolutely clear. I don't have time to run through the list of supportive quotations from businesses. Alright. But this new partnership has been backed by the Federation of Small Businesses, the CBI, British Retail Consortium, Asda, Morrisons, Simon Scotland, Food and Drink Foundation, Ryanair.

-- Salmon. On it goes. I wonder if this will temper the reaction of the Leader of the Opposition. For weeks, she has been dismissive of the benefits of any trade deal and that has been in defiance, frankly, of her party's history. The Member for Clapton is not here, the member for Kingston, and they have both shown in their own way that if the whole approach to allies is about striking a pose, you cannot strike a deal.

What that means in a world like ours, where deals are ever more the currency of security and justice, is you do not get to make a difference and you do not get to deliver for Britain. That is what this partnership means. For years, we were told it could not be done. What they meant was that they could not do it. We were told a deal with the US or India was impossible. What they meant was it was impossible for them.

We were told a choice must be made between the US and EU. What they meant was that they could not do a deal with. This government can and will. We stay in the room, fight for the national interest, and put the British people first. That is the British people first. That is what these deals represent, a signal we are back on the world stage, a global champion of free trade, global champion of free trade, global champion of free trade, playing has to -- a historic role on European security.

We are putting money back in the pockets of money back in the pockets of ordinary people and that is what independent sovereign nations do and I commend this statement to the House. House.
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Kemi Badenoch Portrait Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
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When Labour negotiates, Britain loses. He talks about a hat-trick of deals but they are own goals. In 2020, the Conservatives concluded the Trading And Cooperation Agreement which is the largest and most comprehensive trade agreement in the world. We agreed to come back to improve terms in five years. This renegotiation should have been the opportunity to improve terms for our country. The terms are improved for the EU. The Prime Minister can dress it up as much as he wants but he has failed.

It is bad for bills, jobs, borders. This is not a deal made for written but the deal made for Labour's PR to show them on the world stage but it is a stitch up world stage but it is a stitch up for our country, in favour of short-term headlines for them. Let's look at the abject failure is not the Prime Minister one by one. On fishing, he has given away the prize most desired by EU states and done so far almost nothing.

It is easy to sign deals if you are prepared to give everything away for pennies. This deal locks out our fishermen until 2038 and we are in a worse position than the Faroe Islands and a set of islands with the population of Scarborough and they get to have negotiations. The Prime Minister does not normally listen to them but he left one out. The National Federation of Fishermen Is Organisations who described the deal as a surrender and a giveaway.

This Prime Minister would pay to give away the family silver. Why is he selling them out? Is it because they do not vote Labour? On food and agriculture, the Prime Minister will pay the EU to abide by laws that we have no say in for British farmers struggle with the tax imposed on them and their regulations will now be made in Paris and enforced in Brussels. It is total capitulation. We are not in the EU, not at the table.

Can the Prime Minister tell us how he will ensure accountability for the regulations he has signed the country up to? On energy, the Prime Minister has shuttled us to the emissions trading scheme. This means the government can no longer cut energy costs without the permission of the EU. It will also unravel part of the India FTA he has negotiated. It is not a technicality. It is a betrayal. This means higher bills, more pain, less flexibility. On his own manifesto promises, the Prime Minister said we would not rejoin the single market.

He promised no new payments and that he would protect British interests. The promise has lasted for about as long as is to protect winter fuel allowance for pensioners. -- His promise. He said whatever is needed to empower and now he will say whatever is required to keep it, even if it means selling out our sovereignty, as this is, the public. The truth is most of what was announced yesterday was not a deal and there was no binding agreement or anything.

Most of the outlined items are agreements to enter into further discussions that we are already having. The Prime Minister is boasting we will avoid queues at the airport with access to EU e- gates and it sounds good but it is not true. Each country still has to agree. That sums up this deal perfectly and it is a lot of spin to disguise the terrible substance. Having previously ruled out a youth mobility scheme, the Prime Minister is trying to hide the latest U-turn by rebranding it as an experience.

We have no details on any cap, any time limit, and that begs the question, why is the government talking about increasing migration before it has got a gap on the small boats are Illegal Migration Act system? I know the Prime Minister does not like answering questions that people want to know if we can have some honesty about what has been discussed? How many young European workers does he think would be acceptable and will they be able to bring dependents? It is hopelessly one-sided.

We are making payments but they are offering dialogue and consultation. This is a pitiful return for the country which leaves NATO in Europe with troops on leaves NATO in Europe with troops on the ground in Estonia, defending our allies. Can be Prime Minister Kallas why there is not a single word in the statement about the money we will be sending to Brussels? Can he set out how much the payments will cost the taxpayer? Details matter in government and so does honesty.

They are laughing but this is a bad deal for the country. Look at them. This is how they laughed at the budget. They have no idea what they signed up to. He said he would stay out of the single market but is going in for agrifood, electricity, energy. for agrifood, electricity, energy. He said he would stay out of the customs union but is accepting EU tariffs. How will they stop them tariffs. How will they stop them changing them to our disadvantage? He has no idea.

The British people He has no idea. The British people will know when they are being misled. They know that the headlines misled. They know that the headlines fail. He has not been listening on the jobs tax, the family farms tax, and the damage is clear and the consequences will be huge. He is trumpeting his success and he will trumpeting his success and he will dismiss and distract but we know the truth, it was a fiction of a speech, truth, it was a fiction of a speech, a fraud of a deal and a failure of a Prime Minister.

Prime Minister. Prime Minister.
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Oh dear. That was not a serious response. She says the details matter and government but they matter in Opposition as well. The SPF agreement cut red tape and issues for all food entering the UK and that is a massive boost. Why have all these supermarkets come out behind this, because they know that the agreement is in our favour and there is a huge amount of detail there. The best agreement. On defence and security, greater operational coordination and she is against it at a time like this.

It opens the gates to the EU Defence Procurement Fund of 150 euros billion and that was a condition. She complains about admissions. Businesses were going to pay £800 million per year in tariffs that they will not now and that is why they are coming out in support. That is how much the detail matters. We are already connected with energy and are not using that connection. Electrical access to the market. Steel, getting rid of the tariffs and she is against it, yet again.

And she says the e-gates are already in existence and this clears the way for them everywhere and if any of them dated, travel through barter and see the queues. An cooperation with Europol and she is against it. Information sharing, facial mapping, dealing with records, she is against it. It is not serious. She is also against the India deal. Huge things for trades like whisky and the only concern is if they can produce you. They have been clear about supporting the India deal which they tried to do and she now says she is against it.

The US deal, which saved thousands upon thousands of jobs in car manufacturing and JLR - I do not know if she got the chance to do the trip but she ought to before she speaks at it again. The tariffs on steel so it can be sold to America and she is against it and we also support our whisky and gin. She is against every single deal and this the ex-trade secretary and is against every deal. This deal has been welcomed because it is a good deal.

You do not get a long list of endorsements from the business associations and all of these companies. They are not serious. They are lost. They are lost into a descent into the abyss. They used to be a proud party of trading agreements. They have slid off into the abyss. That is where they are. One fishing, none of the rates negotiated by the party opposite had been removed, none. No change to access to coastal communities, the same as before.

No reduction in the quota or the EU quota, the same as before, as with the reciprocal agreement. What is new is the SPS agreement. For the first time and permanent, which they could not do, and reopens the market for shellfish and makes it easier to sell British fish to the largest trading partner. That is hugely significant. 72% of British fish is threaded into EU markets and it is easier to do that and we are backing that with £360 million for fishing and coastal deals.

It is a capped scheme which is time-limited and it is balanced. On relations to standards, the truth is this, we are currently aligned in our standards. We just don't get the benefit of it. We want to continue to have size standards and that is what the British public want and what the deal delivers. We will have a role in shaping any future rules and the application is subject to and the application is subject to constitutional arrangements. We will have a process of the Parliament to apply the rules.

Let's be clear, we apply the rules. Let's be clear, we are applying those rules at the moment but not getting the advantage and this strips that away and it is good for the country, the economy. good for the country, the economy. It is a shame she cannot stand up It is a shame she cannot stand up It is a shame she cannot stand up
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Ed Davey Portrait Rt Hon Ed Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)
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Can I associate myself with the Remarks about the appalling situation in Gaza? When he is working with colleagues to put pressure on Netanyahu, will he consider, with the friend, formal recognition of the State of Palestine? We do not think the EU deal goes far enough to fix our broken relationship with Europe but there are many parts we do welcome. We have long been arguing for an agri-food deal to help British farmers export to Europe. We have argued for a youth mobility scheme to give young people incredible new opportunities and British businesses, especially in hospitality, a boost.

We have argued for closer alliances in defence in the face of Putin's imperialism and from's unpredictability. Can I welcome the progress on these issues even if it is only limited progress on things like youth mobility. We have all seen the terrible damage caused by the conservative's Brexit deal. Hearing the Conservative leader complained today is like listening to a back seat driver who previously crashed the car. Our country has moved on from the divisive Brexit was of a decade ago and some members of this House need to do the same.

Does the Prime Minister accept that this deal must be only the first step? And we must be far more ambitious in strengthening our economic and security ties with our nearest security ties with our nearest neighbours? We believe a bespoke customs union is a key part of that. Not turning back to the past but forming a new partnership that forming a new partnership that forming a new partnership that serves our national interest. I know the Minister wants me that a red the Minister wants me that a red line but he will accept that the world has changed since then.

When he opened negotiations on a customs he opened negotiations on a customs union to get a better deal for Britain? A trade deal to dwarf all other trade deals?
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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fact that 17.5 million people voted leave. And they voted to take back control of our laws and to stop paying money to the EU. That was a considerably larger vote than the 9.7 million who voted Labour at the last election. Now he's submitting to EU regulations without any control and he is giving money, starting to pay money back to the EU. Giving up control over our laws and restoring payments to the EU. He will pay a bitter political price

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for this betrayal. He knows full well that we have a

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He knows full well that we have a red line about not rejoining the EU, no single market, no customs union, no single market, no customs union, no freedom of movement. We were told it was impossible to negotiate a better deal with the EU with those better deal with the EU with those red lines, we have done it. We've shown we are outside the EU because shown we are outside the EU because he will appreciate that having a deal with the US and India is inconsistent with membership of the EU.

There could be no better evidence we are not going back into evidence we are not going back into the EU. I know he understands that the EU. I know he understands that well. I'm surprised at the way he puts his question. As for control on orders, it went from quadrupling net migration after exit to nearly one migration after exit to nearly one million. That was not controlling our borders, complete lack of control on the other side. On the question of payments, it is important to appreciate we have achieved unprecedented access to EU markets without the budgetary
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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benefits of these deals measured in jobs which will be saved and it is important for our economy that we

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important for our economy that we have got these deals and that is in the interest of his constituents and the whole country. When it comes to evaluating the

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When it comes to evaluating the

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When it comes to evaluating the merits of the deal, who with the Prime Minister suggest constituents listen to, the Scottish Chamber of listen to, the Scottish Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Salmon, or John Swinney and the honourable member who are desperate to try to create a deal which has been called important progress by the Deputy first Minister. I was surprised to see the Minister. I was surprised to see the SNP first Minister leading up with SNP first Minister leading up with four and the Leader of the Opposition against the deal which has been welcomed by Scottish Salmon and they know what is good for their business and that is a small and business and that is a small and miserable club for the SNP to be in.

 If the Prime Minister is right and fit standards are already in alignment with those with the EU, why could we not have negotiated the deal on the basis of mutual recognition of those standards as other countries have done, rather than open ourselves up to having to alter standards in line with alter standards in line with whatever the EU may decide to change in the future? in the future?
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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deal with it. Can I congratulate my right honourable friend on securing this deal? Was the agreement with me that deal? Was the agreement with me that the attitude displayed by the party opposite betrays a fundamental dislike and mistrust in all things European? Which makes them totally inadequate for accepting any sort of deal whatsoever with the EU. And cant confirm that no matter where you do an international radio, whether it is through Europe, there is always an arbitration system whether it is this deal or any I thank him for his question.

I do not think it is just all things European because they say they are against the India deal as well. This is a deal they try for it long as negotiate. It is deeply embarrassing for them to say that is what they for them to say that is what they are trying to negotiate and now they are against the deal with the US on which they said they wanted to negotiate with saves thousands and thousands of jobs. They go to GLR until than those words because you could reverse that deal and look at could reverse that deal and look at the expressions on their faces full the expressions on their faces full so it is further evidence of the decline of the Tory party, not just for free trade.

I never thought I would say that, but we are seeing it now under the Leader of the now under the Leader of the Opposition and he is right about arbitration clauses, they are there in every tree deal that has about been struck. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do not want to be a dog in the manger, but the Prime Minister's statement appears to me to be strong on self- congratulation and very short on detail. I know he does not like answered detailed questions, but the response he gave to my right honourable friend the member was quite simply unacceptable.

When will this be signed off and informed that this House will be able to debate properly in the voting?
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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yesterday. It is not quite the step change that we need, but it is a step forward towards the closest possible relationships with our closest neighbours that we continue to champion, although I would point out that it is hardly unprecedented, because of course a till we left the EU we had a much better relationship. Can I ask the pro- minister though given that free movement of people in addition to youth services is such an important component of growth and also of building good relationships, why is he being so timid on the youth mobility scheme? Given the huge benefits that this would offer to young people and the country as a whole?

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We had a clear red line in our manifesto. We did that because we manifesto. We did that because we had a referendum and at the heart of that referendum one of the key issues was freedom of movement. issues was freedom of movement. Everyone who made their case, the Everyone who made their case, the country voted to leave, we respect that. That is why we put the redlining. What we have now negotiated is a scheme that does not negotiated is a scheme that does not cross our red lines and is good for young people both here and in

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Europe. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to turn to the cooperation aspect of this agreement which I aspect of this agreement which I congratulate the Prime Minister for. When I was an international liaison prosecutor, my colleagues and diet prosecutor, my colleagues and diet the CPS were relieved when the Trade and Cooperation Agreement was finally agreed. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that this new deal enhances and improves our deal enhances and improves our ability to tackle cross-border crime, serious and organised crime, and to keep the people of the UK safe?

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And I thank her for her previous work is not one of the important things I was able to do what I was things I was able to do what I was chief prosecutor was to play a role. Madam Deputy Speaker, I apologise, before we left the EU we could play before we left the EU we could play a full part that meant we shared
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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so. It is important we get on with this as quickly as we can. Ursula von der Leyen yesterday

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Ursula von der Leyen yesterday said a second step further negotiations would be required before British firms would be eligible to compete for joint eligible to compete for joint procurement aligned to the security fund. The primary suspect warmly about the industry response but the CEO said it was somewhat underwhelming with lack of detail. What is the detail all the areas that need further negotiations for British firms to have the possibility to have access to the same client let alone the creation of thousands of jobs? The first thing is to get through the first gateway.

The second thing, this is the fund setting up at the moment, the fund setting up at the moment, is to then negotiate our way into the scheme. It was always that two- stage process. The scheme has not been in existence for very long, so been in existence for very long, so along with our partners, we will move at pace. Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. Businesses welcome this still. Our university centre is the second university centre is the second largest export.

Can the Prime Minister the same or about how this will benefit higher education not will benefit higher education not least in our research space but in being able to attract the very best into our country? into our country?
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None Portrait Ministerial statement: Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
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will be occasional instances,

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Order. Right honourable members have had the opportunity to get the point on the record. We have had in
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Tottenham, Labour)
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point on the record. We have had in excess of an hour and 1/2 of the statement from the Prime Minister. I think we should move on. Allow the Which Which brings Which brings us Which brings us to Which brings us to the Which brings us to the next Which brings us to the next business statement from the Foreign Secretary on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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With permission I will make a statement on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This weekend, the Israeli Defense Forces started a new extensive ground started a new extensive ground operation throughout Gaza, Operation operation throughout Gaza, Operation Gideon's Chariot. Five divisions and operating there. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says they will Benjamin Netanyahu says they will take control, letting only minimum amount of food reach people in Gaza. Madame Deputy Speaker, I quote Mr Madame Deputy Speaker, I quote Mr Netanyahu.

" Just enough to prevent Netanyahu. " Just enough to prevent hunger. " Fewer than 10 trucks hunger. " Fewer than 10 trucks entered Gaza yesterday. The UN and the World Health Organization have issued a stark warnings of the threat of starvation hanging over hundreds of thousands of civilians. Madame Deputy Speaker, this is abominable. Civilians in Gaza facing starvation, homelessness, trauma, desperate for this war to end. Now confront renewed bombardment, new displacement, and new suffering.

And the remaining hostages, kept apart from their loved ones by Hamas almost 600 days, are now at heightened risk from the war around The ceasefire collapsed two months ago. Since then, the humanitarian catastrophe has rapidly intensified. For 11 weeks, Israeli forces have blockaded Gaza, leaving the World Food Programme without any remaining stocks. Israel has repeatedly struck hospitals with three more hospitals in northern Gaza ceasing operations with the UK, yet more aid workers and medical workers have been killed.

After last year proved the deadliest year on record for humanitarian personnel, the diplomatic deadlock between Israel and hummus has sadly also hardened. Despite the efforts of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Which we, of course, support. No ceasefire has emerged. We repeat our demand that her mass release all the hostages and reiterate that they cannot continue to run Gaza. We are now entering a dark new phase in this conflict. Netanyahu's Government is planning to drive Gazans from their homes into a corner to the south and omit a fraction of the aid that they need.

Yesterday the Minister even spoke of Israeli forces cleansing spoke of Israeli forces cleansing Gaza. Destroying what is left of residents, Palestinians being relocated, he said, to third countries. We must call this what it is. It is extremism, it is dangerous, it is monstrous, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Israel suffered a heinous attack and the Government has always backed Israel's right to defend itself. We have condemned her mass and it is apparent to the hostages and we have stood with families and demanded them their loved ones be released.

It is morally unjustifiable, it is wholly disproportionate, it is utterly counter-productive. Whatever is really Ministers claim it is not the way to bring the hostages safe home. Nearly all the hostages have been freed through negotiations, not through thoughts, and that is why hostage families themselves and many hostage families themselves and many others oppose this plan so strongly. Nor will the plan eliminate her mass or make Israel secure. This war has left a generation bereft and traumatised, ready for her mass to recruit as we learned in Northern Ireland to defeat tariffs and their warped ideology with their military mind.

They have to offer a viable alternative opposing the expansion of the war has killed thousands of children is not rewarding her mass. Since entering office we have taken action in Gaza. We restore funding, we supported the independence in we supported the independence in international courts. We suspended arms export licences, we provided food and medical care to hundreds and thousands of Gazans. We have worked with our partners on a plan to ensure a reconstructed Gaza no longer run by her mass.

And since Israel restarted strikes in Gaza, this Government has demanded Israel change course. Privately, my conversations with the foreign minister strategic affairs Minister publicly and repeated joint statements with my French and German counterparts we have made clear that Israel's actions are intolerable. We have raised our concerns in UN Security Council's and before the International Court of Justice. Yesterday, the right honourable friend the Prime Minister joined leaders from France and Canada, strongly opposing the expansion of Israel's military operations.

And the UK led a further statement with 27 partners criticising Israel's proposed new aid delivery mechanism and feeling the essential humanitarian principles of international system that the UK did so much to establish in the first place. Our message is clear. There is a UN plan ready to deliver aid at is a UN plan ready to deliver aid at scale needed with mitigations against a division and there are brave humanitarians ready to do their jobs and there are over 9,000 trucks at the border and the Prime Minister Netanyahu, and this blockade now and let them in.

Regrettably, despite our efforts, the Israeli government's egregious actions the rhetoric has continued. There isolate in Israel from its friends and partners around the world, undermining the interests of the Israeli people and damaging the state of Israel in the eyes of the world. I find this deeply painful, as a lifelong friend of Israel and the belief in the values that were expressed in this declaration of Independence. As the Prime Minister said yesterday, we cannot stand by in the face of this new deterioration that is incompatible with the principles that underpin our bilateral relationship.

Rejected by members across the House and, frankly, it is an affront to the values of the British people. Therefore, today, I am announcing that we have suspended negotiations with the Israeli Government on a free trade agreement. We will be reviewing cooperation with them under the 2030 bilateral act. The Netanyahu Government actions have made this necessary. Today, my honourable friend the Minister for the Middle East is summoning the Israeli ambassadors in the Foreign Office to convey this message.

I say now to the people of Israel we want, I want, a strong friendship based on shared values. With flourishing ties between other people and societies. We are unwavering in our commitment to security to your future to counter the threat from Iran, the scope of terrorism and the evils of anti-Semitism, but the conduct of the war in Gaza is damaging our relationship with your Government, and as a minister has said, if Israel pursues this military offensive failing to ensure the upended provision of aid, we will take further action in response.

The UK will not give up on the two state solution. Israelis living in secured prominence recognise the peaks with their neighbours free from the threat of terrorism, Palestinians living in their own state, the dignity and security free of occupation. The two state solution remains the ideal framework, indeed the only framework, for just and lasting peace. But as the House knows it is very viability is in peril endangered not only by the war in Gaza but by the spread of illegal Israeli settlements and outposts across the occupied West Bank with the explicit support of this is really Government.

There are now weekly meetings to approve new settlement construction, such with approval has accelerated while the violence has slowed. Here we have acted repeatedly pressing for change in this course and direction. Sanctioning seven entities in a towbar and setting a landmark agreement to bolster support with Palestinian Authority when the Prime Minister visited London just last month. Hereto, we must do more. Here, we are therefore imposing sanctions on a further three individuals and four entities involved in the settlement.

I have seen for myself the consequences of violence, the fear and impunity of its perpetrators. Today, demonstrating again that we will continue to act against those that carry out these abuses of human rights. Despite the clamour of hope rights. Despite the clamour of hope from the January ceasefire, suffering has worsened. This showed another path was possible and we urge Netanyahu's Government to choose this path. The world is judging. History will judge them. judging. History will judge them.

Looking aid, expanding the war, dismissing the concerns of your friends and partners, this is a friends and partners, this is a friends and partners, this is a defence and it must stop. I commend this statement to the House.
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Priti Patel Portrait Rt Hon Priti Patel MP (Witham, Conservative)
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Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel. Secretary for the statement. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling, and we continue to see the intolerable suffering of life being lost. As a sustainable into this terrible conflict is urgently and desperately needed. That means the release of the remaining 58 hostages from the cruel hummus captivity that we have all witnessed for too long. It means a significant In to Gaza. And it means a new future for Gaza, free from the terror and misery caused by her mass who bear responsibility for the suffering we have seen unfolding since 7 October to Gaza.

And it means a new future for Gaza, free from the terror and misery caused by her mass who bear responsibility for the suffering we have seen unfolding since 7 October 2023. Now, I will take each of these in turn. First, on the hostages, can the Foreign Secretary explain what recent engagements he has had in trying to secure their release and return to their loved ones? Is Britain contributing to an overall strategy to free the hostages because are we in the room with the critical discussions because we know the hard work that went on to all of this.

Secondly, on aid. I have been asking the Government for clarity over the way it is using its influence to get aid in. On the sixth and the 14th of in. On the sixth and 14 May, we questioned the Minister for the Middle East on steps being taken to unblock aid delivery. We have asked Government for details on the engagement it was having with Israel. The response was to Israel's plans and alternative aid delivery. What practical solutions the UK has worked on with Israel to address their concerns about aid division.

And no substantive answers were given, so what has the Government been doing in recent weeks to facilitate the delivery of aid by practical solutions with other countries to get aid in? Has the Government just been criticising Israel or have they been offering to work constructively to find solutions on a delivery and secure a ceasefire? We see from the joint statement issued yesterday that the Governments of other international partners may not be supporting or participating in the aid delivery model proposed by Israel, so can the Foreign Secretary explain why that conclusion has been reached? How, if I can return to my statement, how does the nonparticipation help to get aid in Gaza? And to stop the suffering that is being experienced by everyone? And while members shake their heads, we should be all focused on securing that members opposite should be ashamed of themselves because the focus of this House should be on getting aid in Gaza.

Because the UK, actually, no, because the UK, and I can speak as someone that has supported aid getting in to Gaza and other humanitarian crises, the member opposite may want their two rather than calling me out and saying that my colleagues are shameful because the UK has consistently been a leader when it comes to world a delivery, so we should be at the forefront of finding practical solutions, supporting the delivery of aid to those in need, so has the Foreign Secretary, with the approach that he has just outlined to Israel done all that he can to support an increase in aid and has U.K.'s influence actually fallen now when it comes to this entire aid discussion? And also the dialogue we have had with Israel also third, on the future of Israel, the Government has agreed with our situation that there can be no future for her mass.

That is completely nonnegotiable. What practical steps are being taken to end this in Gaza to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure? What coordinated international steps are being taken to extend the flow of money and weapons and support bankrolled by Iran? We are still waiting the strategy coming from Government. Can the Foreign Secretary expand on this? We had the statement last month from the Foreign Secretary on the MOU with the Palestinian Authority. Can he give an update on what steps are being taken to improve the government's opinion? Because the MOU has many questions and I do not need to go over the questions I have raised them previously.

The UK obviously needs to be involved in the process given our historic role, in, for example, the Abraham accords. This may be our best shot when it comes to beach on the Foreign Secretary must convince us that we have influence when it comes to the ceasefire and negotiating a better future in this part of the world. And can I ask the Foreign Secretary what discussions have taken place with one country that does have influence and that is the United States administration when it comes to peace efforts and also I want to conclude by saying a few things.

Strong words will do little to address the challenges that have taken place in the suffering we are seeing every day. That is a matter for your governments to address. It should be a cause of concern that we have reached a situation now where statements and actions, if I may say so, that have been echoed by the government today, and by that I am referring to the Prime Minister's joint statement, and the statement an action of the government have been put out by Hamas in a statement.

I'm sure the Foreign Secretary has seen that. The Foreign Secretary's decision to tear up trade negotiations with Israel, and stop the bilateral roadmap will not, it is not shocking, these are important questions. Can I ask then, if the Foreign Secretary can't answer these questions, that's fine. Please do answer. Because they are Please do answer. Because they are important. I would if members did important. I would if members did not keep interrupting. It is quite obvious that the government does not want to respond to these important questions.

I think it is important because there is so much human suffering. I understand the points the Foreign Secretary has made with regards to steps he is taking with Israel but how is this going to help now when it comes to wider security now when it comes to wider security issues, threats from Iran, and how do we know this will not be self- defeating in any way?
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Tottenham, Labour)
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Madam Deputy Speaker, for decades, there has been a cross- party commitment to two-state solution in pursuit of peace. Friends of both Israel and Palestinian people across this house, it was the Thatcher government that imposed an arms embargo after Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982. It was David Cameron who first called Gaza a prison camp. And it was Theresa May's government that championed UN rest on settlements. It was William Hague who worked with John Kerry on the push for peace and condemned the idea of moving the British embassy to Jerusalem.

Sadly today, it seems that the Conservative party, or at least the current Frontbench is refusing to confront the appalling reality of what is happening in Gaza and what that Netanyahu government is doing the honourable lady seems incapable of offering any serious criticism about the egregious actions by the Netanyahu government, unlike many Honourable members on her own side. I think the whole House should be able to utterly condemn the Israeli government's denial of food to hungry children. It is wrong.

It is appalling. Will she condemn it? The whole house has seen. Opposing expansion of a war that has killed thousands of children is not rewarding Hamas. Opposing the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people is not rewarding Hamas. On this side of the house we are crystal-clear what is happening is morally wrong. Unjustifiable and it needs to stop. And that is why we have taken the actions we have. She knows that hostage families are deeply concerned with what is happening, they are deeply concerned with their loved ones, she knows that.

She knows that we oppose the blockade on
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Calum Miller Portrait Calum Miller MP (Bicester and Woodstock, Liberal Democrat)
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that they should allow if a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately for they should enable humanitarian organisations to work independently and partially to save lives and maintain dignity. She will have noted the coordinated statement of 27 countries including Canada, Denmark, Finland, France and many others, that came together to make their views crystal-clear about what we now see happening and what we

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expect to see happening, and the further action that will have to take place if we don't. Lib Dem Spokesperson.

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Lib Dem Spokesperson. Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank the Foreign Secretary for thank the Foreign Secretary for advanced sight of his statement. I know that he like me has been horrified by the scenes coming out horrified by the scenes coming out of Gaza. Tom Fletcher, the UN's, has highlighted and predicted the highlighted and predicted the imminent death of thousands of infants without immediate aid. And said the amount of aid entering the said the amount of aid entering the strip is but a drop in the ocean.

strip is but a drop in the ocean. Let us be clear, mass starvation will do nothing to remove Hamas or secure the release of the hostages. So I welcome yesterday's joint So I welcome yesterday's joint statement with Canada and France. In it, prime minister spoke of taking it, prime minister spoke of taking further action Israel did not fully lift its age blockade and drawback from expansion of military activity. from expansion of military activity. Can the Foreign Secretary confirm whether the expanded sanctions list whether the expanded sanctions list includes extremist ministers Ben- Gvir and Smotrich who have advocated illegal actions to dispossessed Palestinians across the occupied territories? If not, why not? The government go beyond reviewing the 2030 bilateral roadmap and urgently suspend it unless the government of Israel changes path? Will the government now finally block the export of all UK arms to Israel? In response to my letter to the Foreign Secretary last week, Minister of State reaffirmed the government's position that he considers that Israel only risks breaching international law through its blockade.

So I ask the Secretary of State, what more would Israel have to do to the people of Gaza for its actions to constitute not simply a risk but an actual breach of international law? international law? The Minister said the government The Minister said the government would only consider this "At a time most conducive to the peace process. most conducive to the peace process. " Does the Foreign Secretary agree with the Liberal Democrats that the time to recognise Palestine is now? An immediate recognition ideally jointly with France at next month's summit would send the strongest summit would send the strongest possible signal about the U.K.'s commitment to the Palestinian people's rights to self- determination?
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Tottenham, Labour)
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I am very grateful to the honourable gentleman. Can I say to him that I have condemned the statements of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich in the past. On 6 May this year, the Israel Finance Minister Smotrich said " Gaza will be entirely destroyed, civilians will be sent to the south to a humanitarian zone and from there we will start, they will start to move in great numbers to third countries. " We condemn that language. We condemn the language of Minister Ben-Gvir.

And of course we keep that language under review and continue to discuss these issues with our international partners. He asks about recognition, and the work that we see France and Saudi Arabia doing. Of course we are in close dialogue with our P5 partner in France and with Saudi Arabia in fact. I touched on these issues with the Saudi Arabian PM at the weekend. He asks about the roadmap. As I have said, we will review the roadmap.

He will recognise the right elements of that roadmap particularly as they pertain to security issues, the work we do jointly on a run that it would not be right to suspend. But we are reviewing it, as we should, given the circumstances. I have said time and time again that we have suspended arms sales that could be suspended arms sales that could be used in Gaza, notwithstanding those that we must necessarily retain, particularly pertaining to that particularly pertaining to that supply chain on F-35s and their use in warfare in other areas with which we have an interest.

 Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank the Secretary of State for his strong statement today. It feels like it has taken us a long time to get to this point. Secretary of State, when something is intolerable we stop it from happening. Will this actually stop what is happening in Gaza or is it too late? The fact that Netanyahu has said he will let a small amount of aid in means that he understands that he has been withholding aid.

That is a breach of international law. We must call it out for what it is. We must insist that the hostages are returned, and also that prisoners who were held without charge.

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The honourable lady rightly talks about international law. She knows that because we in this country were that because we in this country were one of the great architects of that international humanitarian law, we international humanitarian law, we have to stand by it. When we see it bridged we have to call it out. I begun the process less than three begun the process less than three months into office back in September when I suspended arms sales to
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Tottenham, Labour)
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The UN has warned that 14,000 babies could die in the next 48 hours. Concrete action against Netanyahu's murderous government is long overdue. We know that this government isn't prepared to make a determination on genocide, but they have told us that they are making ongoing assessments to the risk. Will they now finally released that risk assessment for this House and public to see, prove that this government takes its obligations under international law seriously,

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and they mean what they say about concrete action? I have to remind the honourable

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I have to remind the honourable Lady that last year we gave £129 Lady that last year we gave £129 million in humanitarian support to the people of Gaza in the occupied the people of Gaza in the occupied territories. A lot of that support was for medical aid which this was for medical aid which this government began with vigour as soon government began with vigour as soon as we came back in September. Behind her question is a serious point, it.

her question is a serious point, it. The two make serious decisions about The two make serious decisions about sale of a is, where there might be or there is a clear risk of a breach or there is a clear risk of a breach of humanitarian law. I took that of humanitarian law. I took that decision in September. It is a quasi judicial decision and one I take very soberly, very seriously, and that has continued to be the position since September last year.



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Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. I welcome today's steps forward
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Nusrat Ghani Portrait Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)
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be help behind closed doors but these public sessions are an essential way in which the Prime Minister's primary advisor on issues of national security are held to account by Parliament. Despite its commitment to transparency and numerous exchanges, the Government remain steadfast that the NSA will not be accountable to Parliament. I'm concerned that the Government is using the appointment as a special adviser rather than a permanent official to erode democratic norms, less benevolent governments could later exploit. Could you just advise me on how my committee can get the Government to prove it is committed to increasing transparency, to recognise the dangerous precedent it

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is setting and allow the NSA to appear before us? I'm grateful to the honourable

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I'm grateful to the honourable member for giving notice of his point of order. The attendance of witnesses before select committees is not a matter for the chair, however, it is surprising that the current National Security Adviser has declined to appear before the has declined to appear before the Joint Committee, when all his predecessors have been willing to do so. The government owned guidance in the matter states that Parliament the matter states that Parliament has powers to call any individual to give evidence and that when a Select Committee indicates it wishes to Committee indicates it wishes to take evidence from any particular names official, including special advisers, the presumption is that advisers, the presumption is that Ministers will seek to agree such a request.

I'm sure the clients will be able to advise honourable member and his committee on how best to and his committee on how best to pursue the matter further. -- I'm sure the clerks. No more point of order, now to the presentation of order, now to the presentation of Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 (Amendment) Bill.

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Second Reading what day? Friday

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Second Reading what day? Friday 11th July. Allow the Front Benches 11th July. Allow the Front Benches now to shuffle over. The chamber should do so very discreetly. We now come onto the Ten Minute Rule Motion, Reasonable Adjustments (Duty
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None Portrait Ten Minute Rule Motion: Reasonable Adjustments (Duty on Employers to Respond)
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on Employers to Respond) Bill. Thank you. I to move that lead be

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Thank you. I to move that lead be given to bring in a bill to make provision about a deadline by which employers must respond to requests reasonable adjustments from disabled workers and for connected purposes. I draw the house's attention to my register of interests and my proud membership of Unison. I thank the Minister for Social Security and disability, my right honourable friend the Member for East Ham, for being present today. Before I was elected, I was the national officer for disability equality at the country's biggest trade union, Unison.

I was also a shop steward for many years and I represented countless workers who are having problems at work. And it was disabled workers more than any that were facing those problems. In fact, disabled workers made up about two thirds of my cases as a union rep. By law, employers have to make changes to help disabled people stay in their jobs. These are called reasonable adjustments. They can include changes like a special keyboard to reduce arthritis pain, IT software to help workers with dyslexia or starting work at 10 o'clock instead of 9 o'clock after tablets have kicked in.

Unison's research found that almost 3/4 of disabled workers are turned down for reasonable adjustments like this. And even where their employer says yes, about 1/4 of disabled workers waited a year or more to have the changes put in place. But the most common story I heard from disabled workers was that they were just ignored by their employer. They never got a reply at all. For many, this meant they had to do their job whilst in pain or they were set up to fail because they did not have the right equipment.

Then manager would start to criticise their performance because it is hard to hit your targets when you are in constant pain. They would end up having to take time off sick. Before they knew it, they would be pushed out the door. Others just resigned because the pain or distress was too much. -- Or the stress. And all because their employer refused to make small changes that would have kept them in work. Employers can get away with this because there is no legal deadline for them to reply to disabled workers.

This contrasts with other employment rights, like flexible working requests, where the employer has to reply within eight weeks. But there is no such rule for reasonable adjustments. This is a serious gap and is leading to disabled people being pushed out of good jobs and onto benefits. My bill would set a clear deadline for employers to reply to disabled workers making a request for reasonable adjustments. There are over 5 million disabled people already in work. This represents less than 52 % of disabled people, compared to 80 % of non-disabled people in work.

This 29 points difference between the percentage of disabled people in employment versus nondisabled people is called the disability employment gap. And governments have tried and failed to crack it for years. I believe this Labour Government finally offers disabled people a chance at equality. We have already passed the Employment Rights Bill, which gives everyone the right to flexible working, but this will especially help disabled people who could benefit from more breaks or part- time working to manage pain or fatigue.

But on top of this, our Pathways to work plan will invest £1.8 billion into employment support for disabled people. The recent learning and work Institute report found that to intend disabled people on benefits want to work but at least half of them are not getting any help to find a job. When I visited West Ealing job centre in my constituency last August and asked staff to a disabled person could speak to about finding a job that met their needs, they had no answer.

There was no help available. Imagine what it must be like to want to work but being stuck in a system that won't let you. That forces you to live on benefits when you don't want to and you don't have to. So this Government is investing in new trailblazer schemes to support disabled people who want to work. As part of this, West London Alliance, which covers Ealing Southall, did a very simple thing. They sent an email to local disabled people on long-term sickness benefits due to musculoskeletal conditions and asked them if they wanted help finding a job.

Over 200 people replied straight away to say, " Yes," They wanted help. That's 200 disabled wanted help. That's 200 disabled people who have been sat on benefits with no help at all under the previous government. Labour's plan would give disabled people who want to work the help they need. And our Employment Rights Bill and our increase in the national living wage will ensure that those jobs are good quality, decently paid jobs as well. This Labour Government planta Get Britain Working also offers a once in a generation opportunity to radically transform the workplace.

-- Labour Government's plan to Get Britain Working. So finally works for disabled people. The former John Lewis boss has been asked by government to come up with ideas to make work more accessible and to ensure employers take more responsibility for supporting disabled workers to stay in their jobs. My bill would give a right to a response to reasonable adjustments requests to the 5 million disabled people already in work. And would help open up jobs to hundreds and thousands of disabled people who want to work.

But I look forward to seeing what other ideas report identifies. I hope the Mayfield review will look at some of the demands of the disability employment charter, which I was a founding member of when I worked for Unison. This includes ideas like a stronger right to pay disability leave for assessments, rehabilitation and training. Taken together, the Learning and Work Institute report found that the investment this Labour Government is making could lead to up to 165,000 disabled people moving from benefits into decent jobs.

What an achievement that would be. Too many disabled people face losing jobs they love because employers simply don't get them the help they need to thrive at work. This Government's record £1.8 billion investment in employment support would help disabled people who want to work. We also need to make sure those jobs are long lasting and that is why employers must be held to a clear deadline to agree the small changes disabled workers need to get on at work.

The Government's Get Britain Working plan is an opportunity to transform the workplace, so it fits around the needs of disabled workers. My new bill will support this aim by giving more disabled people the chance to enjoy good quality jobs that are the best route out of poverty and to unleash their many, many talents.

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Hope the Government will consider taking it forward. The Question is the honourable

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The Question is the honourable member have leave to bring in the Bill. -- As many as are of that Bill. -- As many as are of that opinion, say, "Aye". Of the contrary, "No". The Ayes have it. Who will prepare and bring in the?

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Who will prepare and bring in the? Katrina Murray, Mark Ferguson, Anneliese Midgley, Laurence Turner, Sarah Russell, Chris Bloore, Lee Sarah Russell, Chris Bloore, Lee Barron, Tom Rutland, Uma Kumaran, Natasha Irons, Doctor Marie Tidball

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Reasonable Reasonable Adjustments Reasonable Adjustments Duty Reasonable Adjustments Duty on

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Reasonable Adjustments Duty on Employers to Respond.

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Employers to Respond. Second within, what are they? Friday,

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Friday, Friday, June 13. The front bench

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Friday, June 13. The front bench The clerk will now proceed to read the orders of the day.

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the orders of the day. Victims and Courts Bill second reading.

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Minister to move. Thank you very much. I beg to

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Thank you very much. I beg to move that the bill be read a second time. When this government took time. When this government took office 10 months ago we inherited a justice system in crisis with prisons on the point of collapse and
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Shabana Mahmood Portrait Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood KC MP, The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Birmingham Ladywood, Labour)
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be swift. It is too easily said that justice delayed means justice denied but few have had the bravery to but few have had the bravery to wrestle with the implications of. The government is investing more in court sitting days than any before court sitting days than any before but we know it is not enough. The but we know it is not enough. The government will pursue reform in the pursuit of swifter justice for victims and that is why I've asked victims and that is why I've asked Sir Brian Leveson to have once in a Sir Brian Leveson to have once in a generation reform and jury trials will always be a cornerstone of the legal system for serious cases but legal system for serious cases but we must consider if there are cases heard before a jury today that could heard before a jury today that could be heard in a different way, in front of magistrates are the front of magistrates are the intermediate court, to deliver the swifter justice that victims the swifter justice that victims the syrup and the second principle of a syrup and the second principle of a justice system that serves victims is that punishment must be certain.

The government inherited the grotesque situation of having more prisoners than prison cells. If prisons run out of space, victims pay the price. Police can be forced to stop making arrests. Crime goes unpunished and victims do not see justice done. The government will ensure criminals face punishment. With 14,000 prison places, the largest expansion since the Victorian era, after 14 years in which conservatives added just 500 cells to the prison estate. We are reforming sentencing so prisons do not run out of space again and there is always space inside for dangerous offenders.

The third and final principle of a justice system that serves victims as they are not traumatised by engagement with it and that is dealt with by specific measures set out in this bill. I would like to start with measures in place to force criminals to attend sentencing in court. In recent years, too many offenders have been allowed to cower in cells rather than face the implications of their actions and this is a final insult to the victims because it robs them of the opportunity to tell them in victim impact statements of the pain they have caused and it robs them of the opportunity to look at the offender in the eye and see them face the consequences of the crime and the full reality of their punishment.

This bill will change that. It gives studies the power to order criminals to attend sentencing hearings and makes it clear reasonable force can be used to ensure it happens and hands out punishment to those who still defy the order. Adult offenders can face up to an additional two years in prison and an unlimited fine and for those offenders serving long sentences, perhaps all-life orders, this is little punishment as they did not expect to see the light of day and for that reason we will give judges the power to impose prison sanctions on offenders, including confining criminals to cells, loss of privileges, and going further in terms of excluding short visits.

If offenders appear in the dock but appear in a disruptive or disrespectful way, as has often been the case in recent months, judges must have the ability to remove them so that the hearing can continue and justice can be served. This law will give a judge the ability to impose the same penalties applied to those who refuse to attend sentencing and those who do attend but attempt to disrupt proceedings. The previous government brought forward similar measures but we go further by expanding the range of punishment expanding the range of punishment available and having rules to expand the powers afforded to judges and we will expand the amount of time these powers can be used for.



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I welcome this. My constituent

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I welcome this. My constituent was brutally murdered when she was on her way to meet a friend and her on her way to meet a friend and her murderer refused to attend and participate in the sentencing and participate in the sentencing and this caused a great deal of distress this caused a great deal of distress to her family and so I welcome the fact we are forcing these characters to turn up in court and also we are to turn up in court and also we are not having sanctions when they do not apply and I think my honourable

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not apply and I think my honourable friend is to be congratulated. I thank my honourable friend for the intervention and he speaks of the intervention and he speaks of one of the tragic cases which have led to these changes and the previous government was also seeking previous government was also seeking to act on this before the election to act on this before the election was called and we are pleased to go further in terms of the sanctions further in terms of the sanctions which have been available and I know that some families argue today and I pay tribute to them in a few moments as I make further progress in my speech.

We will take a dedicated power to allow the Secretary of State to specify sanctions and regulations which will provide discretion to prison governors who hold the legal responsibility and accountability for the rules inside prison and the judges will retain discretion on brandy can order offenders to attend and so in cases when a family does not want the offender to be forced to attend, judges can decide differently. This will be rooted in the prison rules of 1999 which will be amended and extended the Secretary of State will have the ability to add more sanctions in the future quickly and easily should that be necessary and we believe this approach offers more flexibility than the lengthy process of binary legislation.

I know that for many this day has been a long time coming and I'm sure the House will join me in paying tribute to the families of Olivia, and I would like to welcome the families who are in the public gallery today. They have suffered unimaginable pain and faced the indescribable trauma of an offender who would not face them. They have fought tirelessly to bring about this law and we OWE them are dead for their fortitude and today is the day and will have a lasting impact for those who should never have to face what they have endured and nothing will lessen the pain of the loss suffered by these families but this measure in this bill is brought forward in the name and brought forward in the name and brought forward in the name and .

From behind bars, these . From behind bars, these abusers have been able to continue interfering in the lives of their children. Today, a mother has to request parental responsibility is restricted in the case where a father has committed a sexual offence against their child. Now offence against their child. Now Restrict the exercise of parental responsibility for anyone sentenced to four years or more for serious sexual abuse against children. It will restrict those right from the moment of sentencing and send a clear message abusers will not have the power to exercise control and that will make this automatic, giving them the space that they need to begin healing and moving on with their lives.

The previous government put forward proposals in the Criminal Justice Bill to apply the measure to offences committed against all children and that was restricted to Sheldrick. Under these proposals, a parent could commit a wide range of offences including sexual assault and sexual exploitation and not be covered. We believe this was too narrow in terms of habit was drawn because it overlooks the devastating impact of a parent committing other serious offences against their own child. I'll be support the -- we supported the measures in opposition, we will strengthen them in government.

The capital offences committed by a parent against the child they have responsibility for such as sexual assault and exploitation, causing a child to watch a sexual act, and sexual activity without consent. There is no denying we are novel territory and as such we have the duty to take a balanced approach. The automatic restriction can and likely will be challenged. We do not yet know how many challenges the courts will receive but we have the responsibility to ensure courts are not overwhelmed and vulnerable children do not suffer and for that reason we have chosen to expand the offences beyond child rape and begin by restricting measures to serious sexual offences where there is responsibility for the victim.

I've heard the strength of feeling from survivors and campaigners who want this extended to all offences against any child, not just where the perpetrator has responsibility and I understand the court which is to be as ambitious as possible and expand this to a wider cohort of offenders but we believe the measure is stronger than what came before and is the right starting point for this change and we will work collaboratively and constructively with members across the House and within the sector and I will say that this is the beginning of legal change in this area, not the end.

This will strengthen the power of the victims commissioner so victims are not forced to fight every fight themselves but have the strength of the Commissioner, the individual, and the office to fight for them. It will mean there is proper accountability when victims are let down by the justice system and it will ensure victims are not traumatised by having to fight for

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I'm very grateful to Morata a

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I'm very grateful to Morata a friend who is making excellent friend who is making excellent presentation. -- My right honourable friend. My constituent has campaigned for his brother Declan campaigned for his brother Declan who tragically took his life, he was a victim of child sexual abuse. And in able to access therapeutic services is one thing but we know services is one thing but we know that many therapeutic services are very reluctant to provide that very reluctant to provide that service for the sake that the evidence from the medical records evidence from the medical records could well be used to try and break a case.

Will she ensure that people a case. Will she ensure that people not only be able to get access to those therapeutic services that their records will not be used in evidence to destroy a case?

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evidence to destroy a case? My honourable friend raises a really, really important point. I'm really, really important point. I'm sorry about the case of her constituents. She will know that is one of the leading recommendations one of the leading recommendations from the IICSA review. It is something the Department of Health has already committed to taking forward and I know we will see more progress made in this area. Under this Bill, for the first time, the commissioner, the Victims' Commissioner, will be able to act on individual cases that expose systemic failure.

On this basis, they will have the power to request information from agencies on why a failing has happened, what will be done to address it and how we can try and change across the system.

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Grateful to the Lord Chancellor for giving way. I welcome the inclusion of this measure in the Bill and as she agree with me that the extension of this measure to the extension of this measure to local authorities and social housing providers is essential if the Victims' Commissioner is able to fully represent victims of antisocial behaviour?

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antisocial behaviour? The honourable member makes a really powerful point and I will just come a little later into my speech why we as a Government and why I reject the idea of antisocial why I reject the idea of antisocial behaviour as if it is somehow low level and therefore outside the purview of the Victims' Commissioner purview of the Victims' Commissioner and their powers and that is why we are extending them and I hope... I welcome the support this has welcome the support this has received from him and others across this House.

I hope this is something we can all work on collaboratively together to ensure this measure can together to ensure this measure can take proper effect. The Bill will take proper effect. The Bill will also require the commissioner to produce a new independent assessment each year. Providing much-needed scrutiny over how public agencies are meeting their duties under the Victims' Code. It will ensure victims right having upheld and where they are not, that action is

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being taken. This Bill will also... Can I thank the Minister very

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Can I thank the Minister very much for bringing this forward and what the honourable lady has outlined is exactly what we would like to hear. One of my constituents has asked me this question I want to has asked me this question I want to repeat it if I can for the record. In the restoration of justice, the victim often feels isolated from the victim often feels isolated from the process. Does the Minister believe that for this Bill to be effective, communication is key? And does she communication is key? And does she also believe that this role goes far enough in providing an obligation enough in providing an obligation for communication? I know everybody wants to see that but just to satisfy the conscience and the inquiries of my constituents, please, thank you?

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He makes an important point about communication victims and I'll come a little later my speech to the specific measures in this area that specific measures in this area that we think will enhance the system we currently have and provide a good foundation rustic indie to build on, foundation rustic indie to build on, so victims have the information they need. Both to get through the process of the criminal justice system but also to keep them updated once an offender has served their sentence and is on licence in the community.

This Bill will also bring greater accountability to... Just

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once more, it is very hard to say no to the honourable gentleman. I would like to just ask to ensure that the legislation put ensure that the legislation put forward today also applies to forward today also applies to Northern Ireland? I understand it does but maybe the honourable lady again, I should have asked that

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question, apologies... These matters are devolved in Northern Ireland, so the Bill we are bringing forward today applies in bringing forward today applies in England and Wales that we are in regular contact with our counterparts in Northern Ireland and I know the victims Minister will engage with counterparts to make sure that where possible arrangements reflect each other. I arrangements reflect each other. I think we all have an interest in making sure the system across the whole of the UK is as strong as it whole of the UK is as strong as it can be.

This Bill will also bring greater accountability to how agencies respond to victims of agencies respond to victims of antisocial behaviour. As the House will know, this is an area where will know, this is an area where many victims are not heard and not supported. An incident too often dismissed as minor or low level dismissed as minor or low level crimes. When in reality, this behaviour has a devastating effect on local communities and on people's lives. This Bill will therefore empower the Victims' Commissioner to request information from local authorities and social housing providers who sit outside of the criminal justice system to better understand how victims of antisocial behaviour are being supported.

These measures are an important first step towards rebuilding victims confidence in the system, ensuring their voices are heard and leaving public bodies in no doubt that they will be held to account when they fall short.

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I'm very grateful to my honourable friend for giving way, she is making an excellent speech, some very compelling points, I some very compelling points, I believe. On this particular aspect of her speech I would like to warmly welcoming and say how close it resonates with the feelings of many of my constituents in Reading town central and other parts of Reading central and other parts of Reading who have suffered unfortunately from antisocial behaviour in many different forms. I'm sure other colleagues around the country experience exactly the same and I do

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experience exactly the same and I do commend her approach and thank her for her work. I thank my honourable friend for that intervention. I know already that intervention. I know already that this part of the Bill will get lots of support from across the House and I think it is important we House and I think it is important we send a clear message that in strengthening the Victims' strengthening the Victims' Commissioner's powers, so they can take more action on antisocial behaviour, that we will not tolerate antisocial behaviour ruining the lives of our constituents up and lives of our constituents up and down the country.



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down the country. I thank her for giving way. Antisocial behaviour is a huge issue Antisocial behaviour is a huge issue in my constituency of Clwyd East. As in the impact it has had on many of my constituents in our communities but also making people fearful in their own homes. I felt a real disappointment from my constituents, as this has been turned as low-level crime and that has impacted the support they have felt they have got. There she agree with me that we absolutely need to ensure that it is not dismissed as low-level crime that we see the victims of antisocial behaviour put at the

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forefront of our justice system? My honourable friend is an insidious champion for the people of insidious champion for the people of Clwyd East and I reassure her I that this is a constituent MPs as much as I do a cabinet minister and I I do a cabinet minister and I concur, I had far too many of my citric suffering antisocial citric suffering antisocial behaviour, unable to move on in their lives because of the trauma they suffered a in and day out and they suffered a in and day out and made to feel like no one takes them seriously.

And in this Bill, Victims' Commissioner will be able to hold local authorities and social to hold local authorities and social housing providers to account to make sure that they deliver for the victims of antisocial behaviour. Let victims of antisocial behaviour. Let me move on to other measures in this Bill relating to the Victim Contact Bill relating to the Victim Contact Scheme. The Victim Contact Scheme plays a critical role in communicating information to those communicating information to those who are eligible to receive it. The legislation governing it is now over 20 years old and we know that there 20 years old and we know that there are issues with the scope and operation of the scheme.

Victims repeatedly expressed that there repeatedly expressed that there criminal justice system is too complex, disjointed and difficult to navigate. Including when trying to access support. Where we can simplify and rationalise the system, we should. That is why this Bill will streamline the system. It will bring victims currently served by different operational schemes into the Victim Contact Scheme, as well as providing all victims with one clear route to request information do a new dedicated helpline. Taken together, these measures will better support victims and ensure they receive the right information about offenders at the right time.

Next, I will move to measures that will improve efficiency, delivering swifter justice for the victims of crime. Timely access to justice is a cornerstone of public confidence in our legal system. Yet we face a shortage of prosecutors, an issue that directly contributes to delays in our courts. At present, legislation prevents the appointment of qualified legal professionals such as... Practitioners, as Crown Prosecutors. Even when those individuals are eminently capable, have experience in criminal litigation and hold the necessary

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rights of audience. I'm grateful for my right honourable friend for giving way. honourable friend for giving way. Only at the weekend I was discussing with a district Crown Prosecutor and another Crown Prosecutor the backlog that we have in our court system. And there was a strong expression of And there was a strong expression of concern that there is a recruitment and retention problem within the CPS. And so I welcome this new measure, which I think will go a long way in ensuring that we do have long way in ensuring that we do have enough Crown Prosecutors, so that the system, the backlog that we have

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the system, the backlog that we have in the court system will be eased. I thank my honourable friend and

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I thank my honourable friend and we hope that this Bill and the measures in this Bill will provide measures in this Bill will provide some immediate relief on the recruitment of prosecutors. Because this Bill addresses an outdated constraint, it will remove these unnecessary legislative barriers and unnecessary legislative barriers and allow the CPS to recruit Crown Prosecutors from a broader, more diverse pool of talent. Estimates suggest there may be more than 800 specialist criminal practitioners who have expressed an interest in becoming a Crown Prosecutor.

It will support greater flexibility in resourcing and they help to shorten waiting times for cases to be prosecuted. This measure supports our manifesto pledge to ensure more prosecutors are available. And above all, future help to reduce the long, painful wait that many victims face for their case to come to court. Next we are committed to reforming the private prosecution system, so it is fairer and has the right safeguards in place. In this Bill we are taking the first steps towards longer term change.

Although private prosecutions play an important role in our justice system, the way private prosecutors costs are awarded can provide perverse incentives for firms to bring private prosecutions. Costs in private prosecutions can be over five times higher than in cases where both defence and prosecution are funded by fees, which are set out in regulations. That is why this Bill will give the Lord Chancellor the power to make regulations, to set rates which prosecutors can recover their costs from central funds and private prosecutions.

This will ensure the best use of public funds and reduce the incentive for private prosecutors to prioritise profit when considering bringing

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criminal proceedings. ... This proposal by the Justice

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... This proposal by the Justice Select Committee as long ago as 2020, under my distinguished 2020, under my distinguished predecessor, Sir Bob Hill KC, and

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I'm glad to see that it is finally on the statute books... I was just coming to pay tribute to the work of the Justice Select to the work of the Justice Select Committee, to Sir Bob Hill and our current esteem Chair of the Committee and I thank you and members both past and present or members both past and present or pushing for government action on this matter and I'm glad we have been able to bring forward the been able to bring forward the measure in the Bill that we have today.

Let me now turn to measures on the Unduly Lenient Sentence on the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme. As the House will know, this safeguard allows the Attorney- safeguard allows the Attorney- General to refer certain cases to the court of appeal. This action is taken if it is believed that the original sentence does not adequately reflect the seriousness adequately reflect the seriousness of the offence. However, in practice, the 28 day statutory time limit for referral has proved problematic for cases brought to the Attorney-General's attention late in that 28 day period.

This Bill will ensure that every eligible case is properly scrutinised. Guaranteeing that the Attorney-General has 14 full days to assess any request when it is received in the final we are tidying up an anomaly that we inherited. The six offences were not included during legislative changes made by the previous comment and by ensuring everything is aligned, this change will ultimately help to avoid confusion and errors in sentencing. This Bill marks an important step forward in our mission to rebuild our justice system.

So that it serves the victims who in recent years it has all too often failed. It brings forward long overdue reforms that will strengthen victims rights, forcing offenders to attend their sentencing hearings, restricting the parent or responsibility of convicted child sex offenders and further empowering the Victim's Commissioner. Criminal justice system in this country has suffered terribly at the hands of the party opposite. The backlog in our courts is long and growing longer. Our prisons are trapped in a cycle of crisis and Sims have paid the price.

This government is beginning the work of reversing that damage. -- Victims have paid the price. Will deliver swifter justice for victims, we will ensure criminal space that is punishment -- space that is punishment -- offenders face punishment and not offenders face punishment and not give trauma to victims on top of what they've already suffered. There is much more we must be at work is under way and I look forward to a under way and I look forward to a constructive debate ahead and I commend this Bill to the House.
16:46
Robert Jenrick Portrait Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP (Newark, Conservative)
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The question is built now be read a second time and I called the a second time and I called the

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In recent months I have sat with Jeremy and Susan whose daughter was murdered in the most horrific circumstances and with Paula, whose circumstances and with Paula, whose little boy lost both legs to little boy lost both legs to brutality and asks why his abusers brutality and asks why his abusers will one day walk free. With Katie, whose sister Sasha was stabbed to death at 16 and with the cousin of death at 16 and with the cousin of Jan Mustufa whose body was found in Jan Mustufa whose body was found in the freezer.

The stories are harrowing and the bravery and resilience is incredibly inspiring. They and the relatives of countless They and the relatives of countless other things have formed the Justice for Victims camping movement because in the words serious criminals are escaping proper punishment. The escaping proper punishment. The demand is clear. Make the system value the lives of those that were value the lives of those that were damaged or even taken. We welcome the legislation in the name of it.

It must be worthy of that title. A bill that carries the word 'victims' should put victims first in practice, not just in prose. I appreciate that there are some measures in the bill that are stronger than those in the predecessor and some less so or different to what were in the prior bill. Parliamentary time is precious and I know from my own period in government that you cannot always return to the same issues time and time again, however worthy they are, so we must not waste the opportunity to enact the most radical and serious changes we can to rebalance the criminal justice system in the favour of victims.

I will explain why and I will make what I hope will be seen as constructive proposals. Firstly, victims rightly want offenders to face the sentence and confront crimes and too often cowardly criminals will squirm away from the consequences of their actions and so I welcome the intent behind the clause which proposes to correct that and I question how the Minister will deliver offenders to prison when prison officers are already fighting for their lives with their bare hands and little serious protection.

It's not a new problem but one we must confront together and with no kit, there can be no confidence. In the wake of the attack at HMP Frankland, the oh was an issue and it seems inadequate. We do not issue every single officer with a stab-proof vest. Body armour is under review. Clause 1 piles fresh duty on staff who tell me they are already one assault away from leaving the service. Until full body armour is issued, this duty will be a burden to them.

We know this because officers will not feel safe to force violent offenders out of their cells and not least because the bill only affords them the use of reasonable force, not the ability to use force as long as it is not grossly disproportionate. Surely that should be the threshold and the judges making the orders only need to take into account the information considered... Only need to take into account in consideration the reasonable excuse of an offender to operate the will of victims.

What is the reasonable excuse to dodge justice? Surely this should be tightened to the most exceptional circumstances. Where in the bill is the rate of victims to have their views heard and recorded in court? Some victims will want the offender to come forward, even in the knowledge it will be highly disruptive and it will challenge the solemnity of the court and frankly behave in a way that many would consider to be deeply shocking and even scarring. Surely that should be broadly the choice are at least they should be properly consulted by the judge.

This legislation is ultimately for the victims and even if the judge might have reservations or if it leads to challenging situations and confrontations we are

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not accustomed to in our courts. Does my right honourable friend

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Does my right honourable friend agree that using reasonable force raises the unpleasant prospect that prisoners might bring claims for damages against the Lord Chancellor which would be a further insult to

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victims and I would firmly support his view. I thank my honourable friend and

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I thank my honourable friend and agree with his point. Given the threshold is an available and threshold is an available and establish concept, why not apply it establish concept, why not apply it in these circumstances so we can equip the criminal justice system with the standard that they need to with the standard that they need to ensure that all bar the most exceptional circumstances see them brought to court if that is the wish of the victims of crime. Secondly, ministers say the clause 3 will return children from predatory parents but the devil is in the detail and only the abuse of an offender's own child cancer and that point was understandably made by the party opposite when they were in opposition themselves.

If a man rapes the child of a neighbour, he keeps full rights of his infant daughter. The BBC highlighted the case of a woman who was forced to stay in a quote to deal with responsibility. They have called the bill disappointing because it would not protect them. Additionally, offenders jailed for three years and 11 months, still a brief sentence, retain their rights. Where is the logic and four years. Thus far, this is unexplained. Where is the best interests of the child? Conversely, the bill states it does not cease to have effect if the offender is acquitted on appeal and so and exonerated parents may still be barred for life unless they marshal funds to return to court.

That is neither proportionate nor principled. I appreciate the view of the secretary of the that this may be a starting point but let's get it right. This is the opportunity. It may well be the only opportunity for some time. Turning to clause 11, this is the last safety valve for this is the last safety valve for victims when a judge badly wrong and I know how important this is. Just last week, a case I referred to the Attorney-General alongside the honourable member was heard in the Court of Appeal and three offenders had sentences increased but today a victim only has 28 days from the date of sentence to request the Attorney-General make a referral.

That clog starts even while they are waiting for the official transcript to land. Everyone in this House has met families who discover the scheme after the deadline and will forever wonder if justice slipped through their fingers because they should have searched for the rules earlier reached out to more knowledgeable friends in the system. I've been struck recently speaking to victims and even victims of some of the most prominent and heinous crimes of modern times, who one might have thought would have been equipped with the best legal advice and support but they simply did not know that the scheme existed, let alone that it had a short time limit attached to it.

The clause only gives the Attorney-General, not the victim, an extra 14 days when the paperwork arrives on day 28 and the officials get six weeks and the mother of a murdered child only gets four. Ministers claim this is levelling the playing field but it is nothing of the sort. Victims groups, from rape and sexual abuse centres to the Centre for Women's Justice have pleaded for a straightforward fix and doubled the window to 56 days and require the window to 56 days and require the CPS to notify if the complainant in writing of the existence of the scheme and of that deadline on the day of the sentence.

They have asked for time and the government has delivered on this occasion bureaucracy. That is clause 11 in a nutshell, a lifeline for Whitehall and the staff of the Attorney- General and not for the people we have been sent to defend. I turn to what the bill does not try to do. The backlog is spiralling and the Ministry of Justice cannot yet provide a date in which it will start to come down. The permanent secretary, going before the Select Committee, could not answer the most For an official charge of leaving the service.

When will they start getting better? There are cases being listed today that are as far away as 2029 and meanwhile the Dems are in limbo with their lives left on hold and justice delayed is justice denied. 74 courtrooms today are sitting empty across the country because the Justice Secretary has not taken the honourable lady Chief Justice on the offer of extra sitting days. There is barely anything in the bill that will put a dent in the court backlog. Nothing that maximises the sitting days and not one clause addresses the listings and the disclosure of digital evidence.

For many people, the justice system is opaque and secretive. I am a firm believer that sunlight is the best disinfectant and greater transparency drives change and enforces confidence. There is nothing that enhances transparency on the court backlog. For instance, the publication of a number of courtrooms while sitting each day and why. This falls to start-ups producing websites and apps, not the Ministry of Justice itself. There is nothing in this bill that increases access to court transcripts so the victims and the press and the public can see justice dispensed.

This issue is given further prominence recently by the shock and anger of the public when they heard fragments of the transcripts and as technology transforms the ability of the courts to provide reliable transcripts using AI, we should provide a better and more transparent service to the public and the media. This is possible. Why not use this bill to establish the basic standards for the benefit of every victim across the country? Nor is there anything which mandates the publication of data of offenders by Visa status or asylum status so we know where offenders are coming from.

We need to design a criminal justice system and above all an immigration system that protects the public and the victims Commissioner for London has £71 -- the £1 billion of unpaid fines is astonishing and the failure to recoup the outstanding fines must come under greater scrutiny. Again, this bill is silent on that and there are no extra powers to recoup the money at at a time when, without question, the budget of the Ministry of Justice is under strain, why not do everything to recoup the unpaid fines, beginning with the victims who are suffering as a result.

We welcome the legislation in the name of victims and it must be worthy of that title. Victims have asked for justice which is swift and certain and in many respects this bill is slow and tentative. I would urge the government to amend it and strengthen it so that it puts victims first in practice and not just in prose and where does, the Secretary of State and government will have our support, for justice will have our support, for justice

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This bill builds on the Victims

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This bill builds on the Victims and Prisoners Act of the last government to improve on the criminal justice system and the criminal justice system and the function and were generally the administration of criminal Justice and like its predecessor, it is and like its predecessor, it is published against the backlog with the victims of crime too often the victims of crime too often within four years and this within four years and this government has taken steps to tackle those deep-rooted problems which those deep-rooted problems which were built up over years by the were built up over years by the failure of the last government to invest in the criminal justice system but until they are resolved, victims will continue to suffer for victims will continue to suffer for victims will continue to suffer for too long.

One March 27, the latest statistics were published which show a record high of 74,651 outstanding cases as of the end of December 2024. Also in March 2025, the Commissioner published a report entitled justice delayed and the impact of the backlog on victims, victim services, and the criminal
17:01
Andy Slaughter Portrait Andy Slaughter MP (Hammersmith and Chiswick, Labour)
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justice system and the report concluded the increased number of victims held in the system because of the backlog, victim services are of the backlog, victim services are under increasing pressure pushing peers the ability to provide accessible high quality support that accessible high quality support that they need and the report called for they need and the report called for the government to explore how the victims whose cases are going to trial might be given a single point trial might be given a single point of contact of conduct and a call for the restoration of an independent the restoration of an independent court system so the operation of the court system so the operation of the court service is subject to rigourous independent scrutiny and for providing funding to victim for providing funding to victim support services to help cope with increased caseloads arising from the increased caseloads arising from the The Lord Chancellor wrote in the Select Committee in April in response to concerns that changes proposed by Sir Brian Levinson's review would not have a direct impact on delays in the Crown Court for considerable time.

My right honourable friend noted the system requires substantial reform and the Department looks forward to receiving the independent review of the criminal courts recommendations on longer term structural reform options later this spring, followed by recommendations on the efficiency and timeliness of court processes by autumn. It is against this challenging background that we debate this Bill to day. I welcome the measures in it and I know the ministerial team will use the leverage it gives them to improve the lot of victims in the criminal justice system.

But in this, as in every aspect of the Ministry of Justice work, they have been set a difficult task to bypass neglect. Let me briefly comment on the main ambitions of the Bill. Firstly sentencing hearings. The Bill will provide Crown Court judges with an express statutory power to order the attendance of offenders at their sentencing hearing and sanction those who refuse to comply with such an order or you attend then commit contempt by misbehaving or contempt by misbehaving or disrupting the proceedings and are removed as a result.

They may receive up to two years additional imprisonment and/or imposition of present sanctions. These proposals have been welcomed by advocates for victims and organisations working in the violence against women and girls centre. However, there are some concerns around how these provisions work in practice and the implications for judges and court staff, prison officers, prison escort offices and governors. Secondly, restricting parental Secondly, restricting parental responsibility. Concerns have been raised that persons convicted of serious crimes can retain their parental responsibility unless an application is made to the court to restrict or terminate it.

This means, for example, they can potentially ask for school reports, be consulted on medical issues and withhold their consent to a child going on holiday or been issued a passport. In last year's King's Speech, the Government committed to legislate to restrict parental responsibility for child sex offenders. The new provisions will automatically restrict a person's parental responsibility where they are sentenced to or more years in prison for a serious child sexual abuse offence against a child for whom they hold parental responsibility.

-- Four or more years. This means instead of the non-offending parent or carer having to drive the process, the offender's parental responsibility will be automatically restricted at the point they are sentenced. Thirdly, victims rights. The Bill will update the domestic violence crime and victims act 2004 to expand the eligibility criteria to victims of more offences who will then be covered either Victim Contact Scheme. Creating victims helpline for some victims not covered by the scheme. Expand the definition of victim for the purposes of the scheme and ensure greater consistency for victims of offenders subject to a hospital order.

Fourthly, the powers of the Victim's Commissioner. In its manifesto, the government committed to increasing the power of the Victim's Commissioner. The Bill achieves this by allowing the Victim's Commissioner to exercise their functions in individual cases which raise public policy issues, placing a duty on local authorities and social housing providers to cooperate with the Commissioner for the purposes of supporting victims and witnesses of antisocial behaviour. And empowering the Commissioner to independently report on the Victims' Code. Fifthly, prosecutions.

The Bill seeks to increase flexibility for the Director of Public Prosecutions in appointing Crown Prosecutors. The Bill will remove the legislative barrier which is preventing silex lawyers who have specialist qualifications... From becoming Crown Prosecutors. Sixthly, costs of private prosecutions. June 2020 the Justice Committee launched an inquiry into the fairness of private secure Church Commissioners and the need for procedural safeguards following a request from the review Commissioner and arising from the Horizon scandal. The committee recommended that the Government should urgently review funding arrangements for private prosecutions in order to address the inequality of access and ensure a fair balance between the prosecutor and the defendant.

In March 2021, the then government accepted the committee's conclusions and agreed that costs recoverable from central funds by private prosecutor should be limited in the same way that costs are recoverable a... All the army by being capped at legal aid rates. This will require amendments to the existing legislation. I am pleased at last that through clause 10 of this Bill the Chancellor -- Lord Chancellor is able to make regulations to achieve that aim. Finally, the bill introduces greater flexibility into the unduly lenient sentencing scheme, as requested by, among others, the Victim's Commissioner for London.

There are other changes in the Bill that those are the major proposals. I welcome them all, in aggregate, they both exist -- assist victims with the process through the Criminal Justice Bill and reform the process to make it more consistent and user- it more consistent and user- friendly. -- Criminal justice system. It will require more radical system. It will require more radical root and branch reform and for that we await the findings of the independent review. But this Bill is independent review.

But this Bill is a step along the road to a fairer and more humane criminal justice system bought victims. -- For victims.
17:08
Josh Babarinde Portrait Josh Babarinde MP (Eastbourne, Liberal Democrat)
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It means a lot to be speaking about this Bill here today as a Liberal Democrat just expose person -- justice spokesperson but also someone who is engaged extensively the Criminal Justice and Police Act as a victim myself. When I came out the other end of a crawling crown court trial as a victim several years ago -- crawling crown court trial as a victim several years ago, I pledged that I will do everything I could to play a part in fixing a system that too often retraumatise is and punishes victims.

When I was part of survivors group therapy with SurvivorsUK a few years ago, processing my experiences of abuse alongside 11 other brave men, some of whom are watching on today, I swore to those lads that I would never forget their stories. And I would do what I could to help transform our pain into justice for victims and survivors for the future. And when I meet victims of crime who come to Cini for help in my constituency of Eastbourne, I promised them that I would throw the kitchen sink at fighting for the support that they need and deserve.

-- Come to see me. So my contribution today is for all of them. And I say on their behalf that it is time to shift the centre of gravity back to victims in our criminal justice system. It is time to give victims their voices back, it is time to dignify victims experiences with action. That is why Liberal Democrats fully support this bills efforts to address, for example, the horror of children still being subject to parental responsibility of those deplorable parents who are convicted of serious sexual offences against them.

That is why we welcome the proposed victims helpline, eligible for victims sentenced... Whose perpetrators are sentenced, regardless of the length, so they can get information about those perpetrators release and so forth. And this will go some way to help address some of the concerns I have expressed about the shortcomings of the existing Victim Contact Scheme. So I thank the Government for taking that feedback from myself and many other members and groups on board. This is why Liberal Democrats also welcomed the bill's measures to strengthen powers of the Victim's Commissioner.

Empowering them almost to act more like an ombudsman who can take up the causes of individual victims where it is in the public interest. And that is why we agree that defendants should participate in sentencing hearings because robust rehabilitation necessarily involves facing up to one's actions and understanding the impact of them are their victims. But Liberal Democrats believe that this Bill could be even more ambitious for victims and survivors. So that is why, together with supporting this Bill in the remaining stages of the legislative process we will be challenging for Government to address some of the serious omissions that stand to leave victims without the protections that they need.

And the first, I know the Minister knows it is coming, is on domestic abuse. Liberal Democrats have highlighted that this Government has inherited a scandalous state of affairs, where the state does not know how many domestic abusers there are behind bars. The Government does not know what the reoffending rate is of domestic abusers in our criminal justice system. And the reason is because there is not a specific identifier in our system. Whether it is an offence or whether it is something else.

And so since November of last year, we have been screaming out for the Government to deploy robust measures to officially identify domestic abuse perpetrators on a statutory basis, so it can better protect victims and survivors. I am genuinely grateful that this Government has agreed to seriously develop a way of that identification. I know that work is happening behind-the-scenes. But I would like to ask Minister to confirm on the record whether we can work together to achieve this on this Bill or if not on this Bill, which piece of legislation in future we might be able to see some progress on this.

The second gap is on court transcripts. Victims and survivors need measures that deliver fair access to court transcripts. The shadow justice secretary forgot to mention that my honourable friend, the member for Richmond Park, has led the way on the issue in this place. Repeatedly urging the Government, the past government, to make permanent pilot scheme and...

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I thank my honourable friend. One of my constituents has been a victim of domestic abuse has written to me of domestic abuse has written to me about the work this area has done. Those so that has resonated across this country and she herself has this country and she herself has said that action -- access to said that action -- access to transcripts was helpful. She welcome the pilot and the communication around that the victims was not good enough. Would my right honourable friend agree with me that whatever work is done we need to make sure victims are communicated for and what powers they have to access what

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then? -- Are communicated to. As a reminder, colleagues do not

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As a reminder, colleagues do not refer to members by their first names but constituents my constituency names.

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constituency names. She is absolutely right, not only it is a critical victims rights are straight then, it is critical that victims have the knowledge of those rights and entitlements, so they can rights and entitlements, so they can invoke them and involves them and benefit from them fundamentally. But benefit from them fundamentally. But my honourable friend for Richmond Park has been urging the government to make permanent the pilot scheme that affords victims of rape and other sexual offences a record of their sentencing remarks free of charge.

She has been campaigning on this for years, not just when the populist bandwagon is in time, like some others in this House. And ahead of this pilot scheme ending imminently, we must not return to a world in which some victims are charged up to a staggering £22,000 just to see the write-up of their case. This is exclusionary justice, delivered at an eye watering price. And so as well as campaigning for the pilot to be extended, we would push the Government to expand its to cover a far wider pool of victims On a similar note, as a constituency MP, I would like to encourage the government to take steps to encourage not only written records but audiovisual records of court proceedings to be made available to victims and survivors.

A mother came victims and survivors. A mother came to a constituency surgery I ran recently sharing that her son who has SEND and this non-verbal was restrained in school transport and legal proceedings were kicked off as a result. The mother did not get to see the video evidence of this until the court case and has no access to the harrowing and traumatic evidence since then but she ought to have the right to it and I hope that the government is able to help us on that basis.

The third gap is national insurance contributions and we need support for victim charities who have said the hike in the last budget will take their services and victims to the brink and another gap as family courts and we need measures to prevent abuses from using parental alienation proceedings to perpetrate abuse. Also, court backlog switch leave so many victims in the lurch for years and when victims expect to see measures to tackle court backlog. In conclusion, the Liberal Democrats are concerned these gaps could risk overshadowing many decent measures that ministers will be working hard on.

We look forward to supporting the bill at efforts to ensure victims are heard, respected, protected. We challenge the government to go further and faster to ensure victims get the support that they deserve and ensure they do not pay the price for the neglect

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they were subjected to under the last government. Many colleagues are hoping to

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Many colleagues are hoping to contribute and so after the next speaker there will be a limit of

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four minutes. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I speak to one part of the deal which will require convicted which will require convicted offenders to attend sentence feelings and provide consequences when they refuse and that is known when they refuse and that is known as Olivia's Law. Olivia Pratt Korbel
17:19
Anneliese Midgley Portrait Anneliese Midgley MP (Knowsley, Labour)
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as Olivia's Law. Olivia Pratt Korbel was eight years old when she was murdered in her home and the murderer fired a bullet through the door of her home and it passed through the rest of my constituent, Cheryl Korbel, Olivier's mother, before hitting Olivia in the chest and ending her life. The family are with those in the gallery today. To lose a child to murder in your home while trying to protect is a burden no parent should have to be but under the current justice system, convicted criminals can opt out or attending their own sentencing and that is what Olivier's moderated, remaining in his cell and refusing to look her in the eye.

It was the act of a cupboard and the injustice must end. Nothing in this world can bring Olivia back but instead of collapsing under the weight, Cheryl Korbel fought back and she and her family campaigned so no other family would suffer the same. The law is her legacy and Cheryl's legacy and today I will be that the victim impact. These are the words the murderer, the cupboard refused here. I want the words of Cheryl Korbel committed to the House so they will be on record in this place wherever I let her words rang out like they should have done in the ears of the murderer that day.

Olivia was born murderer that day. Olivia was born six weeks early on June we are £4.02 ounces. She fitted in one hand. She had the most beautiful skin. There was not a blemish on her. She had the most perfect little dimples on her legs and we were stopped by everyone, saying how beautiful she was, especially in her big brown eyes and thick curly hair. Ryan and Chloe adored her as a baby sister. She slept in my room until she was one and then moved into the big room with Chloe.

Often by the time I got to her, when she cried, Chloe was already with her. She was like a second mother. The years passed by too quickly. She started nursery. She was loved by everyone. She loved to play. Cinderella was favourite. At home, she would dress her dog in a blanket and put her in a pram. a blanket and put her in a pram. Gizmo still brings that into me. She skipped into her first day of reception. I was heartbroken but she was happy.

I could not believe my baby was going to school. She loved Her teachers. She had a special bond with one of her teachers and was a social butterfly. She was good. She was a social butterfly. She had long Hair and was proud and particular about it. A few weeks before she was cruelly taken away from us, she had heard about the Little Princess trust and what they do. After talking to me, she decided she wanted to donate 12 inches off her hair, and her words, "For the sick kids to have beautiful wigs." She was due to have her here cut on August 27.

She loves to play with make-up. She did not want to wear trainers. She had her own style and would wear what she wanted, even though it often did not match. She would go with the girls and come down and there she had just found her close. The girls would never see the clothes again. They got older and began to do their own things. She was nicknamed 'my shadow'. We were always together and this was once Chloe's and she took a liking to it and said it was hers.

Each evening was different with Liv. One that you could be watching 'Matilda' on the coach and the next she would be lying in bed watching YouTube on her iPad. She never stopped talking, literally never. Even if she was not talking directly to anyone, she would be chatting away and one thing I miss most is how talking to me. I miss her and her voice. It is so miss her and her voice. It is so quiet.

I would do and give anything to have her chatting to me. It is very lonely without her. Everything is so quiet. I cannot cope with the silence. Setting my alarm at 7:30 a.m. Is something I still do. It is. The day goes by in a blur. It gets to 2:30 and it gets to school pickup. She was and always will be my baby but I miss our routine. My mind keeps telling me I have forgotten to pick her up from school. The time was big for me.

It was centred around her. Everything I do and everywhere I go is a constant reminder that she is not there with me. This happened in our home, where we felt safe and should have been but we had no choice but to leave the home that was her first and only home and when the police left, we were not allowed back. It was heartbreaking. I walked in and it was as if time stood still. Cups of tea on the coffee table next to her in Dubai, propped up on its stand.

One of her dolls in the living room floor and her sparkly shoes in a box. At that moment, I was home. We were back to how our lives were before that life. I was brought back to my living nightmare. Packing up the home was horrendous. Having to pack up our lives, stripped the bed, packer clothes, toys, memories into a box. Now but he should ever have to do that. We left our friends, neighbours, and my neighbour Chris was amazing and it was hard to go back to the area and where I raised my three children and the area where some of her closest friends look.

The smallest things remind me of her and it is hard to see her friends in the street and hard to accept she is no longer there. Moving on to a new house was difficult for all of us are not being able to make the bed or not having a favourite food in the fridge and that night, when I realised that she had been shot, she needed me, I was not able to do CPR properly on her because of my injury and I did not have full use of my hand and I felt helpless.

It was only then that my neighbour came in and tried all he could to save my baby. My worst nightmare was being separated from Olivia and not being with her when she needed me the most. I was the first person to hold my baby girl and, as her mum, I should have been the last. I cannot get my head around how the killer continued to shoot after receiving the terrifying screams. The utter devastation that he has caused.

He does not care. How could he? His actions have left the biggest hole in our lives that could never be filled. He set out to do a job. He did not who got in the way. He did not own it. Ryan, Chloe and I are just existing today and have been since it happened. We've been waiting for the trial, focusing on it, not addressing how broken we are as a family. I cannot think about rebuilding our lives without her and because of this, we have missed out on so much.

My grandmother daughter. Recently her health deteriorated and she was admitted to hospital. A couple of weeks ago we were able to bring her home from end-of-life care. Due to being in court every day, we have not spent enough quality time with her. My focus has been getting justice for Liv. Sadly, my Nan passed away last night before giving that cupboard had been found guilty. My mangled was the light of our lives and a beautiful, sassy, chatty girl could ever run out of energy.

She was a character. She was my baby. She had amazing qualities and she knew what she wanted in life. She will never get to have her birthday party, walked down the aisle that the man of her dreams, or be called the mother of four be called the mother of four Her future was cruelly taken away from her. And now I have to drive to the cemetery to be close to my baby daughter. I sit with her and talk to her and I tell her that I miss her smile, her kisses, cuddles, voice.

I tell her she will live on in my heart. She will always be with us. My little shadow. We love you endless amounts, Olivia. Let the words of Cheryl B hard, let them be honoured, and make sure no victim's voice is ever shot out of justice

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again. I thank the honourable lady for sharing that with us. It is sharing that with us. It is important that the House had died.

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important that the House had died. Can I pay tribute to the powerful

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Can I pay tribute to the powerful tribute from the honourable member. Our thoughts and prayers are with Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in the calorie. -- The the family in the calorie. -- The gallery. I welcome this for victims of crime and it is essential that
17:30
Sarah Bool Portrait Sarah Bool MP (South Northamptonshire, Conservative)
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of crime and it is essential that victims are at the heart of justice. As the Baroness said with regard to domestic abuse, victims and survivors of domestic abuse must be able to trust in the criminal justice system that it will provide a robust and trauma-informed response that prioritises safety while holding perpetrators to account. We must ensure is feel they will not only get justice but can't trust the system and we need to restore trust and confidence in the system.

I'm pleased the bill will bring forward more victims in the scope of the scheme and victims must be given more information on the upcoming release of an offender or the discharge conditions and this includes notification of key events like transfers. One of my constituents raised with me the case of a domestic abuse survivor who, along with her unborn child, survived an attempted murder by her ex-partner. He received a sentence of 18 years in 2016 but in March he was eligible for a placement four years earlier and it was distressing and as is often said, perpetrators of domestic abuse not everything about victims, where they live, work, where children go to school and it is terrifying for victims to find perpetrators are being released potentially early and it cannot be prepared for this but I want to see parole boards involved in decisions involving placements for domestic abuse offenders to ensure the voices of victims are heard.

It was said earlier that timely access to justice is key but so is confidence and we must be prepared in terms of the language we use must ensure all victims trust the legal system and I fear some discussions do more harm

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I would like to begin by thanking my right honourable friend the Lord my right honourable friend the Lord Chancellor for bringing forward this Chancellor for bringing forward this much-needed piece of legislation, which will change our justice system for the better, strengthening support for victims and holding those who violate our laws to those who violate our laws to account. In my constituency, the scars of serious crime and antisocial behaviour and of an inundated court system hold back our inundated court system hold back our communities.

My constituents and people across the country are
16:35
Elsie Blundell Portrait Mrs Elsie Blundell MP (Heywood and Middleton North, Labour)
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people across the country are looking for answers to these challenges rather than the posturing we see all too frequently in some quarters today. I believe this bill goes a long way to providing them, and to know these changes will be truly welcomed in my constituency. Last week I held a town hall event focused on crime and antisocial behaviour in Scotland, an area I am proud to represent and to relate concerns from today. I like to place on record my gratitude to all of those who attended and who gave their stories as well as those from Rochdale Borough Council and Greater Manchester.

We covered a vast array of issues in a constructive and thoughtful manner and I believe we got to the crux of what keeps people in the Spotland and across my constituency awake at night. Ultimately the safety and security of their families and loved ones. Across our borough stalking offences, dangerous driving offered by sand drug crime have been growing in prominence and Greater Manchester our core backlogs are some of the largest in the country. Most people I spoke to at that event were weary after years of cuts to essential police presence and after consistent underinvestment in our courts.

They've seen a system built to protect criminals. But despite the challenging nature of what we discussed I did come away discussed I did come away disheartened -- didn't. I came away determined to take their concerns forward. Communities are very unresponsive or idle to the challenges they face, in fact they want to be part of the solution. People in my constituency want to work alongside authorities and local leaders to make our streets safer, to make sure victims are supported and perpetrators face the full force of the law.

They want common sense and considered interventions from government like the ones we see before us today. A lighter touch on one provision of the bill I believe will make a real difference to the communities I represent. Firstly the shadow of on street grooming still hangs over families and survivors in my constituency. This is alongside wicked present-day crimes which are perpetrated against children across the country. The cruelty and cowardice of which make victims for life. According to the expertise of child sexual abuse, 500 expertise of child sexual abuse, 500,000 children will have some form of sexual abuse every year.

We know a lot is committed in the family environment and we must make sure children who are exploited no longer remain under the responsibility of a family member capable of committing such vile acts. That's why, the provisions of this bill which will restrict parental responsibility for offenders who were sentenced for abusing young children. Families themselves must feel they have a place when this unimaginable violation falls a loved one and supporting loved ones. Mitigating procedural burdens on family so they can begin to rebuild what those perpetrators have shattered as a step I wholeheartedly support.

Is it the other measures in this bill, including the provision which mandates that perpetrators attend their sentencing hearing or face further penalties. As we know crime doesn't exist at a single point in time, its implications live on the victims, sometimes forever. Neither is it faceless. Behind each criminal act as a perpetrator who should face the consequences of their decisions and should be made to look at the damage they have done in a persons life and hear the verdict on their crimes.

This bill gives victims agency.

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Order. Thank you. Before I start can I pay tribute to the Member for Knowsley that incredible speech and
17:36
Sarah Olney Portrait Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)
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Knowsley that incredible speech and to Olivia's family under the government for listening to that call and including the requirement of provision in the bill. I want to talk a little bit more about the provision for victims, and particular my court transcript campaign, the Minister knows this is coming and like to thank the Member for his very generous tribute earlier on. I'm really disappointed there is no mention of court transcripts in this legislation. Trials are lengthy and traumatising experiences and victims are routinely not attending and some are advised against doing so.

Being able to review the sentencing remarks can help victims and survivors with clarity and closure, but too often accessing the sentencing remarks is unaffordable and only as more barriers to achieving justice. And that's why providing victims and survivors with free access to copies of their transcripts was an issue I campaigned on throughout the last Parliament and am glad my open letter to the former justice secretary received support from the secretary received support from the then mother and father of the House as well as former chair of the Justice Select Committee and was glad to have cross-party signatories to my amendment of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in the last Parliament which would have if accepted and enabled all victims to receive a transcript of both sentencing remarks and judges summing up free of charge.

Despite broad support this amendment was ultimately unsuccessful both in this House and again in the other place when a similar amendment was tabled by my colleague Baroness Brinton and was blocked by 187 Tory peers. Given the previous government's refusal to address this gross inequality, and the explicable opposition to this policy, letting down victims and survivors have been interested in the conservative change of heart on this issue, noticing shadow Minister's recent support for this as well as the member the Goole and Pocklington racing the accessibility of court transcripts to the justice secretary last month.

I'm glad to see indications they may finally be acknowledging the extent to which the last government failed victims. Following my campaigning on this issue and the invaluable work of campaign groups working to support victims I'm glad this government have introduced a 12 month pilot scheme. This... 12 month pilot scheme was introduced in May last year. The scheme gives victims of section assault access to court transcripts of the trials at no cost to them. Victims and survivors make use of this pilot report that its impact has been transformational, yet in a recent response to my question on this issue the Minister responded saying they were assessing the pilot's uptake in impact and would say more on their plans for future provision in due course.

As I'm sure the Minister is aware last week introduced a bill to the House which called for the rape and social offences free sentencing remarks pilot scheme to be made permanent. I pilot scheme to be made permanent. I recently day motion on this has also received cross-party support which sets out broad calls to expand the scheme to cover all victims of crime. If the government doesn't intend to make the scheme permanent, not only will they fail these victims but also not uphold the commitment made in the Kings Speech last year to strengthen support for victims.

I've heard directly from constituents of mine who access their transcripts having not attended the trial as well as members of the public from across the country who have been through similar experiences and they've told me of the hugely positive impact that accessing a court transcript has had on them and their journey with just eight days until the scheme is due to end, and given I'm still awaiting response to the letter my honourable friend centre the justice secretary on this issue, I wish to ask if the Minister will outline future plans for the scheme and urge them to make support for victims permanent.

And I would ask the Minister to make sure on what basis it has discontinued the scheme. I welcome some of the measures in this bill, really welcome the additional support for victims contained in this bill and I really do hope that as the bill continues through the House we can make further amendments to extend

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the scheme and make it permanent. I declare an interest as a member of the women equalities committee. of the women equalities committee. Rape survivors are too often hidden
17:40
Natalie Fleet Portrait Natalie Fleet MP (Bolsover, Labour)
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Rape survivors are too often hidden in plain sight. In Bolsover, my constituency, 10,554 women will have been raped or sexually assaulted since they were 16, 1/3 of these in their own homes. Schreiber, Wessington Barbara, every village and town in between. 5277 of them will have been raped more than once. 880 881 have reported, and if we are lucky, 26 will have been charged. Have got permission to share the experience of one of the wonderful constituents who reached out to me.

She said I was spiked in a hotel and sexually assaulted in a room where I thought I would be safe. As a result I lost my job. My marriage nearly crumbled and I lost six of my sons most formative years because my brain shut down completely and I went into survival mode. We need to raise our boys better. The respect and work alongside women without judgement or expectation around sex. She is right. This is not just the Bolsover problem.

This is a society issue. Rape is a part of our national story, in part that we are not telling. We cannot continue with the culture where he did it and she hit it. Women don't report because they have been let down by the courts for too long. Like another of my constituents, four years and five months from rape to trial, multiple suicide attempts. I am so pleased that this government is doing something about it and treating violence against and girls as the national emergency that it is.

The measures in this bill mean the victims of crime will finally be put first. But this bill is also our opportunity to put a. On a lifetime of ongoing trauma. I will keep speaking about the 10 babies born every day to their mums that have been raped. Six children in my constituency every year. And in every constituency across England and Wales. We see these children hidden in plain sight on our school visits, see them as adults in the workplace.

They drink amongst us in the pub, but their brave mothers have hidden their existence throughout history, often even from them. The mums tell me about the struggle to bond with the babies that look like the man that hurt them. They tell me about the pain of loving their children and also wish they didn't exist. They tell me about living with the threat of their rapist being part of their lives forever. One survivor said she couldn't report the crime because if she did the perpetrator had told her that he had parental responsibility and he would use it.

Being charged, going to prison, nothing will take away his rights around the child conceived when he raped her. This bill is our opportunity to change that. I call on our government to remove parental responsibility where a child is conceived via rape. Our precious children can no longer be the only proceeds of crime, a criminal has lifelong access to.
17:44
Katie Lam Portrait Katie Lam MP (Weald of Kent, Conservative)
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It is a privilege as it Member of Parliament to support our constituents in their hours of greatest need. All too often this is when they are a victim of an appalling crime. Many of the constituents I speak to are at their wits end. They are desperate to be heard, helped and protected. They Their torment to be made to stop and they want justice. Many of the steps taken in this bill will be welcomed on both sides of the House and by victims across our country.

It's right for example that we restrict the access that convicted sex offenders have to their children, and it's right that we give victims more information about their offenders release. However, the calls for justice for the victims of grooming and freight gangs grow only louder. Across this country, people are rightly horrified by these crimes and the subsequent cover-up which represents the biggest national scandal in our history. Yet the government has failed to use this opportunity to deliver real justice for those victims and survivors.

Last month, I spoke in this place of the details of just some of these disgusting crimes. I was able to do so because of the organisation Open Justice UK which has purchased, redacted and published transcripts from some of these court cases. But they've been refused permission to do this in several instances because a judge has claimed that its no public This is wrong. Of course we must make sure that the anonymity of victims is protected, but nobody is suggesting doing anything to compromise that.

These were public trials held in open court and at the moment these transcripts represent the only way to get to the truth of these revolting crimes that have been carried out across Britain for far to long.

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Isn't the answer to that in part at least a national statutory enquiry into what occurred? Not least because we don't actually know whether it is still going on, and that enquiry would expose so much that enquiry would expose so much which would allow all those right- thinking people to take the action thinking people to take the action necessary and protect so many of the people who might be at risk from

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further horrors. Thank you and I can only agree

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Thank you and I can only agree with my right honourable friend, it is appalling that this is currently the only way to understand what has the only way to understand what has happened in these cases, and related as the Member for Newark has previously said, these aren't just legal documents, they are historic documents that tell the story in detail some of the worst crimes in detail some of the worst crimes in detail some of the worst crimes in our recent history.

This bill acknowledges that transparent information about our justice system is in the interest of victims, yet does nothing to address this does nothing to address this problem. What's more, due to the current limits on appeals against unduly lenient sentence scheme are many victims of these horrific grooming and rape gangs would be denied a vital opportunity to seek real justice. In far too many of these cases we have seen courts and down lenient sentences. For far too many victims there will be no redress and their abusers will walk free, often after just a few short years these monsters will be back in the communities they came from, walking among us and walking among their victims.

Just last week the Court of Appeal revisited the case of three men who were convicted of raping a teenage girl in Yorkshire. They were convicted in January for committing unspeakably evil crimes against a 13-year-old girl. In the first instance they each received sentences of less than 10 years. As my right honourable friends the Member for Newark mentioned, he and my honourable friend the Member for Keighley and Oakley referred this case to the Attorney-General. In this instance the courts rightly ruled that the sentences were far too short.

This bill should have made it easier for victims to seek

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the same address. It does not. This government has announced specific support for five local specific support for five local enquiries and is getting on with the implementation is of the implementation is of the recommendations of the report, would the honourable member opposite like to comment on what the previous to comment on what the previous I thank the honourable member for her intervention, there are two her intervention, there are two points that I would like to make on the point that she is making.

Firstly five local enquiries is nothing like enough, there were 50 towns where this took place and all towns where this took place and all of those victims deserve justice. Secondly there are trends across the country and only a national enquiry country and only a national enquiry Top sadly she mentions the Jay Inquiry. Enquiries are very often specific. The Hillsborough enquiry did not investigate every football match, the Infected Blood Inquiry didn't look at the whole of the NHS, the Manchester Arena enquiry did not address every terrorist attack will stop there has been an enquiry into child sex abuse but that is not a specific enquiry into the specific phenomenon of groups of mostly Asian Muslim men grooming and sexually torturing mainly white children, facilitated and covered up by those in the British state whose job was to look after them.

That is a specific phenomenon on, a particular stain on our country and it deserves a dedicated enquiry. I am coming to the end. I am sure that the Lord Chancellor and the Minister here today want fairness for victims. So will they please amend this bill, firstly to offer the independent national enquiry into agreement rape gangs that country and victims need, secondly to ensure that all such transcripts appropriately redacted be made available for the public to see, and finally to allow victims see, and finally to allow victims greater ability to appeal the shockingly short sentences that we see all too often.

see all too often.
17:50
Kim Johnson Portrait Kim Johnson MP (Liverpool Riverside, Labour)
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I would like to start by paying tribute to the family and sharing very powerful statements. I want to focus on the victims of state violence that are missing from the spell. I want to start by remembering the 97 victims who perished in Hillsborough and their families who have been through so much and fought for so long for justice. I want us to remember today our government's commitment to these families to bring the long overdue legal duty of candour on public officials.

Otherwise known as Hillsborough Law. This bill as it currently stands is a major missed opportunity to make good on this promise and finally delivered justice for the 97. We have failed to meet our own self-imposed deadline for this year's 36 anniversary, of rainfall moment for Liverpool made yet more painful by broken promises and the threat that this commitment may be watered down when it is eventually brought forward. The core of the Hillsborough Law is straightforward, statutory duty of candour on all public bodies and officials will top that means that when instances occur, those in power must proactively tell the truth, share all relevant information and cooperate fully with investigations and enquiries for top no more defensive PR operations, no more smear campaigns against victims and no more families faced the system for decades just to have their loved one's name is cleared.

Without a full Hillsborough Law the cycle of cover-ups will continue. From Glenn file to the infected blood scandal, we have seen time and again the institutions act to protect themselves as a priority, leaving ordinary people to pay the price. This bill is an unmissable opportunity for this government to make good on their promises and I hope the Minister listens to the strength of feeling and brings back a government backed amendment that implements a full legal duty of candour on public officials.

I also want to take the opportunity to raise the important inquest campaign for a national oversight mechanism backed by 70 organisations. It has been tabled as a Private Members' bills by the honourable member for Bristol, currently making its way through this place. Public and private bodies have a duty to keep us safe from harm but every year, hundreds of people die preventable states related deaths. The lack of any mechanism for learning from past tragedies is a huge part of this.

When someone dies after contact with the state hundreds of recommendations are made following inquests and enquiries, these include deaths of people and police and prison custody, mental health settings and following disasters like Grenfell and Hillsborough. These families need transparency, accountability and action so that changes are made to prevent future deaths in similar preventable circumstances. Introducing a mechanism would be a watershed moment for families bereaved at the hands of the state and it would be unforgivable for us to miss this opportunity this bill presents to bring forward this mechanism.

When comes to victims of state and public bodies, the details in this bill are severely lacking and I hope the Minister will listen to the points I raised and come back with some government backed amendments to improve accountability and oversight
17:54
Liz Jarvis Portrait Liz Jarvis MP (Eastleigh, Liberal Democrat)
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mechanisms to ensure justice for all mechanisms to ensure justice for all I welcome this bill as an important first step towards more accountable Criminal Justice System's. One that reflects the needs and voices of Too Too often Too often victims Too often victims have Too often victims have been Too often victims have been let Too often victims have been let down Too often victims have been let down by system that fails to grasp their trauma and recognise their experiences, they are expected to navigate an underfunded and overstretched justice process that all too frequently delays or even all too frequently delays or even denies justice.

I sincerely hope this bill is just the beginning of a wider governmental approach to fix the crisis in the Criminal Justice System, including the court backlog System, including the court backlog and the mess left behind by the previous government. Liberal Democrat support the creation of a specific Domestic Abuse Act related offence and I would like to pay tribute to my honourable friend the Member for Eastbourne for his tireless work on this issue. In February 2 men from Hampshire were released as part of the prison early release scheme even though they were both convicted of Domestic Abuse Bill's the former partners of these men said they were terrified and felt unable to regain control of their lives.

One of the victim said he got three years, I got life. The law should be changed to reflect the full impact of domestic sonnets victims. -- On its. Recently I met the Constituencies's actual husband was convicted of sexual commute occasion with a child it he was permitted to change his name. Despite the crime and the law which requires them to register with police before changing their names, serious risks remain for top my constituents case highlights how sex offenders can conceal their identities by changing their names.

I know this issue was raised in the last Parliament by the honourable member for Rotherham, but I would ask the Minister if this government will take action to protect victims and survivors from this loophole that allows registered sex offenders to change their name to avoid detection. I am glad the government is taking steps to support victims and survivors of crime. I hope more will he done to ensure the Criminal Justice System truly protects the most vulnerable and delivers justice that is accessible, fair and centred

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on the needs of those it is meant to serve. May I pay tribute to the Member
17:56
Alex McIntyre Portrait Alex McIntyre MP (Gloucester, Labour)
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May I pay tribute to the Member for Knowsley and his family how powerful their campaign has been on powerful their campaign has been on this. This bill seeks to challenge the imbalance of power between perpetrators and their victims, those long existed within our justice system. For too long offenders have held the upper hand and I'm proud this bill and this government will finally put victims first. It will strengthen our courts, reinforce the core principles of our justice system and provide greater protection of victims of crime.

It will grant our courts the power to order offenders to attend their sentencing hearings, using reasonable force as necessary. And extending sentences and imposing sanctions on prison for the coward to refuse to face up to what they have done once and for all our justice system will ensure those who commit crimes are held fully accountable for their actions. It will strengthen the role of the Victims Commissioner, to monitor report and compliance of the Victims' Code and in doing so will drive meaningful lasting change, ensuring victims rights are not only ensuring victims rights are not only recognised but firmly upheld.

At its core this bill is about shifting the balance of power, moving it away from offenders and placing it in the hands of victims and survivors, it's about safeguarding the rights of every person across our country. The shadow minister is not in his place now he's 30 want transparency. Let's give him some transparency on the last government's record on justice for victims. Because 10 months ago this government inherited justice system in crisis, the last Conservative government shamefully left our prisons on the brink of collapse with a backlog in our courts and adjust the system that failed victims up and down this country.

Shockingly 60% of those who reported rape dropped out of the Criminal Justice System, we know from our honourable friend how few of those were reported in the first place and they drop out before getting to trial and are often retraumatised by the system. It's a shame the shadow minister is busy perhaps with this leadership led to busy to hear what I'm about to say but justice under the Conservative party means more offenders escaping justice and fewer victims, they don't like to listen to it but that's their record in government.

As many members across the House will know we are sadly facing an alarming rise in Domestic Abuse Bill we are all too aware of that scale of the crisis, in December last year nearly 250 arrests were made relating to domestic abuse in Gloucester. Given how desperate and widespread this issue is I am proud that the measures and spell will help deliver justice for the one in four women and one in seven men who have experienced Domestic Abuse Act for the Constituents I represent you both need and deserve that justice.

From speaking to survivors and victims of domestic in my constituency surgeries I particularly welcome the changes this government is making to ensure victims receive information and support particularly about their offenders release and I hope this will be part of a wider reform of the tagging system that has led to far too many of my constituents being let down in the past. I'm inspired by the pace and ambition with which this government is delivering its ambition to tackle and half violence gives women and girls but on the off chance if the government would welcome more ideas how we can better support victims then I would welcome my honourable friend the member -- minister taking this opportunity to back my Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill, like that bill it aims to place power in the hands of victims and survivors supporting them as they sit justice to rebuild their lives.

Today's building brings us a step closer to halving violence against women and girls in delivering the transformative plan for change our country and constituents urgently need and I look forward to voting in favour of the bill later today.
18:00
Liz Saville Roberts Portrait Rt Hon Liz Saville Roberts MP (Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Plaid Cymru)
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I also would like to pay tribute to the honourable member for Knowsley for speaking so movingly about Olivia and her family for the I rise to speak about the victim centred measures in this bill and I like to take the opportunity to thank the Minister for victims and domestic abuse for her engagement on this matter and also with my constituent Rhiannon Bragg formidable activity was done so much work to improve support and services The expanded Victim Contact Scheme should see more victims able to get adequate information about their offenders sentences and make representations about licence conditions or superficial requirements as they relate to them.

Similarly, the victim helpline will give more victims the information they need and I truly welcome these measures which the government says will cost an extra 0.2 million HMPPS each year. Updating the Victim Contact Scheme I'm informed will cost £20,000 a year and between 100,000 and £200,000 for the victims helpline. I am somewhat concerned about these costings is whether they will be sufficient, and as the co- chair of the justice union's Parliamentary group I would call on the government to commit to delivering additional resources to the probation services and as necessary for these additional services to deal with the demand that is inevitably going to increase, initially in the first instance and as victims become more aware that of course they have these rights.

There is of course within probation a risk of overextending a service that is already in workload and staffing crisis at the expense of victims. Extending the powers of the victims commission is also welcome of course. Victims should always feel secure that the Commissioner can and will do everything in their power to tackle shortcomings where the victims lived. That's why I will continue my call for a victims commission for Wales to reps and victims of crimes in the specific context of Wales where of course many victim support services and important policy levers such as Health and Social Care are devolved and held account to buy the Senedd.

At this point I would also mention another aspect of this bill, the Crown Prosecution Service in. If we could come a government can seek to have personnel who could operate in Russian English because we need such personnel in the criminal justice system in Wales. Of course devolving the entire Criminal Justice Bill in Wales was recommended by three independent commissions would be the best way to ensure a Wales focused approach to victim support. But in the meantime a victims commission for Wales would ensure that the particular voices and experiences of people and victims in Wales are properly represented.

We need only look of course to the fantastic work done in London by the London victims Commissioner to see exactly what's possible when you have a fully focused approach. Therefore the close, the Victims and Courts Bill is a good basis on which to build. There are always ways to look to go further to better support victims, particularly in Wales and look forward to seeing how this develops

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with amendments at committee stage. Given the time-limited day I

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Given the time-limited day I first of all just wanted to say a huge thank you to the victims minister, the MP from Pontypridd,
18:04
Emily Darlington Portrait Emily Darlington MP (Milton Keynes Central, Labour)
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minister, the MP from Pontypridd, the Solicitor-General and ably supported by our amazing female team at the Home Office as well. I won't go through everything that is fantastic about this appeal because it really is, and it is a once in a generation opportunity to improve things for victims. I just wanted to bring up three issues I think would make it an even better bill. And my own four friend for Pontypridd says she is always open to new suggestions.

The first one I wanted to mention is the unfair use of the so-called bad character evidence. This allows the cross-examination of rape victim survivors about their previous sexual assaults. This has nothing to do with the court case in front of them. This is about victim blaming. It's about intimidating the victim, and it's about making the victims afraid to go to court. I think that this is something that very much would improve this bill if we did not allow the so-called bad character evidence to be used in these proceedings.

Secondly, we need to recognise as in law that victims of domestic abuse are also victims of coercive control. Part of that coercive control can include things like taking out loans in their names, but sometimes in extreme cases it's about coercing them to actually break the law. We need to have a way that the court can recognise that when a victim of domestic abuse has been coerced into committing a crime as part of that domestic abuse, it is treated as such.

And it is seen as part of the ongoing use. And thirdly, something I have been campaigning on, and this is the person at risk of violence orders. When somebody leaves a domestic abuse situation, they often leaving with a lot of debt. In order to keep their address hidden from the perpetrator, they must go through a person at risk of violence order. That's not only another re- traumatising court process, it's also an additional £308 they must find every single time they move.

This despite the fact that they may have an active court case, may even have the perpetrator has been arrested, but they have to go and independently prove that they are a person at risk of violence. This victims bill is all about making sure that victims can get justice and part of getting justice is being able to leave these abusive situations and be protected while they're doing it. And I think these three suggestions would really help to strengthen the bill and increase victim survivors confidence in justice.



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Thank you. Imagine a school night with the child being repeatedly asked by his father if he has completed his homework. The child replied in an exasperated tone, yes. replied in an exasperated tone, yes. His dad came towards him with his fist, ready to punch him. The boys mum stepped into the space in front
18:07
Marie Tidball Portrait Dr Marie Tidball MP (Penistone and Stocksbridge, Labour)
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mum stepped into the space in front of that fist and pushed her son out of its way. The full force of that of its way. The full force of that fist hit her so hard that she was spun around and fell down the stairs, bruising her arms, legs and back. On the top of the stairs the child's father shouted to his son, Luke what you made me do. The boys mother left her husband, taking the children with her. Social services were aware that that same father made statements that he was capable of killing.

Then imagine a situation where, despite knowing all of this, a family court permitted that father if those two boys five hours unsupervised contact per week. Left Russell, my constituent does not need to imagine that nightmare. She and her two sons Jack and Paul Sykes lived it. Yet on a two hour contact visit, permitted by the court and allowed to go ahead by Cafcass, Jack and Paul Sykes were locked in the attic by their father, using gasoline, their dad set multiple fires alight across their home.

Paul, aged nine, died at that scene after his elder brother tried to save him, and then Jack, aged just 12, died later in hospital. The father, also killed himself in the blaze. Jack and Paul's voices were not heard by social services, by Cafcass, nor by the family court. The only time Jack's voice was heard was when he was held in the fireman's arms as he used the last of his strength to say, my dad did of his strength to say, my dad did this.

And he did it on purpose. There must be urgent reform of the presumption of contact in law on the basis of evidence, principle and to ensure children's voices are put at the heart of our family court system. This legal principle means parents should always be given contact with their children even in circumstances where there is a known domestic abuse. And yet the harm report published in 2020 by the Ministry of Justice's expert harm panel was clear that the presumption should not remain in its present form.

The Victims and Courts Bill before us today presents the ideal opportunity to make these changes in the family courts. And deliver for the victims of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. It already ensures a justice system serves victims rather than subjecting them to further trauma on top of what they have already had to suffer. Labour's important mission to half violence against women and girls in a decade will require a national effort, and using every single tool available to target perpetrators, and address the root causes of abuse and violence.

Now we need to do what the previous Conservative government failed to do. And hold family courts to the same standard by taking a child- centred approach and repeal the presumption of contact where a parent is a known domestic abuser. The government must act now to save lives of children for generations to come by ending contact at any cost. So let's not just imagine a world where the voice of children up at the heart of our family court system, where children like Jack and Paul are listened to, not ignored.

No more towns like mind left to grieve where my hometown has.

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Order! The honourable lady must recognise there was a time limit so
18:11
Jas Athwal Portrait Jas Athwal MP (Ilford South, Labour)
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members can get in.

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Thank you. Ilford South has been collectively traumatised by sexual violence and domestic abuse. violence and domestic abuse. Together we have mourned the murders of Cheetah and Zara, together of Cheetah and Zara, together horrified at the violence women and girls face every day, much of which goes unreported. That's why the goes unreported. That's why the Victims and Courts Bill laid bare before us today is so desperately before us today is so desperately needed. It's a bill that promises to help us bring justice and to empower victim survivors.

I'd like to begin by thanking all those who made this by thanking all those who made this bill possible, especially the victim survivors whose voices gave it power and made it real, although their and made it real, although their work was indispensable. I know that it must never fall on the shoulders of survivors alone to drive policy change. We all must come together to share the burden of fixing the share the burden of fixing the violence that is so deeply embedded in our society.

That's why I feel it is so incumbent on me as a male is so incumbent on me as a male member to engage with this bill to see it through. Sexual violence and domestic abuse are men's issues as much as women's issues. If I may speak candidly, my conversations with survivors and workers, London councils lead on community safety against violence on women and girls, tell me survivors are doubly traumatised, re-traumatised by the justice system that is opaque, difficult to navigate and quite frankly not built for them.



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Theory say thought when the sentence that emanates from the court as unduly equalled. The court as unduly equalled. The Attorney-General has the power as he will know to review unduly legal sentences but only 28 days to do so. sentences but only 28 days to do so. Will he join me in calling for that length of time to extend in the name of victims?

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of victims? Certainly somebody who stands for justice are the anything that makes it stronger, I would always stand it stronger, I would always stand for that. I welcome this bill as a for that. I welcome this bill as a start to end addressing the harm start to end addressing the harm survivors face. Through the updated victim, scheme and the new victim helpline, this bill simplifies one's aspects of the justice system aspects of the justice system survivors must navigate for the single harmonised scheme mean victim survivors will have a clear route to request information about an offenders release.

Should they want it. Empowering those survivors. Another welcome aspect of the bill is the automatic restriction of parental responsibility for perpetrators of child sexual offences. Sexual violence against children is particular vile and traumatising for families and survivors alike. With survivors taking an average of 22 years before they feel able to disclose their abuse. This bill will prevent perpetrators from involvement in a child's life, safeguarding children from further trauma and enabling them to start healing.

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He's talking about the length of time it can take for victims of sexual violence to get over the sexual violence to get over the trauma and to seek help. Do you agree with me that organisations such as rape crisis do absolutely such as rape crisis do absolutely vital work in helping survivors of sexual abuse and rape move past what sexual abuse and rape move past what has happened, and would you agree with me that it would be a fantastic with me that it would be a fantastic improvement to the victims bill if there could be some government, there could be some government, national government oversight into how much money is put into funding

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victims services like those? Certainly coming from a local council, strapped for cash, I council, strapped for cash, I absolutely agree with the emphasis that the honourable member is going that the honourable member is going towards, and I would say this is something that we must look at as we something that we must look at as we go forward. The bill will prevent perpetrators from involvement in a child's life, safeguarding children child's life, safeguarding children from further trauma and enabling them to start healing.

This new restriction is shamefully overdue first of our current system isn't built for survivors, it is full of gaps and loopholes from predators and reflects society's biases and Truly centre survivors I believe this bill should go further. The automatic restriction on parental responsibility should be extended so if an individual uses any child, not just their own, their parental right should be automatically removed. This would further safeguard children and save families the vast personal and emotional cost of navigating the family court system, ultimately preventing the retraumatised nation of survivors and their families.

I welcome the government actions to begin building the trust has -- justice system that finally centre survivors rather than treating them as an afterthought. I hope this bill will empower those who for so long have not been properly protected. But as we know there is still so much further to go. There remains so many more battles to fight to prevent sexual and empower victims and survivors, online, in our schools, in our homes, on our streets. This bill is a desperately needed step but it must be the beginning of our campaign to get justice for victim survivors, not the end.

Thank you.

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Can I also pay tribute to my honourable friend the Member for Knowsley and to Cheryl and her family for their fight for justice.
18:17
Jess Asato Portrait Jess Asato MP (Lowestoft, Labour)
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family for their fight for justice. Having worked with both adult and child victims of traumatic abuse I was glad to stand last year in a manifesto that committed to reforming the system to put the needs of victims first and ensure they get the support they need and deserve. The bill before us today as part of that mission. I'm pleased to see that it strengthens victims rights, forces offenders to attend sentencing hearings and empowers the Victims Commissioner to do more to stand up for victims and hold public bodies to account where there are failings full top nevertheless I think there are three areas where I think we should go further and faster.

Firstly we know that victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence are placed -- face with a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing support the left at the mercy of various budgetary decisions made by the Police and Crime Commissioner, local authority and health bodies.

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What does she say to a Police and Crime Commissioner like the one for Thames Valley that doesn't find sexual abuse support services in Milton Keynes? Milton Keynes? I do believe that all Police and Crime Commissioners ought to but Crime Commissioners ought to but hopefully the Minister can respond to that. It is clearly outrageous that any victim of sexual violence should be left without a service at should be left without a service at all. Where specialist must give you services do exist they are faced with a deeply precarious financial situation which is it really hampering victims getting the support they need.

Fewer than half of victims and survivors are able to access the community-based support they wanted. Without that support some victims may be unable to leave Domestic Abuse Act to to may return to them, when they find it too difficult to escape their difficult to escape their controlling behaviour. In 2022 only seven% of victims who wanted the perpetrator received the support to change their behaviour and stop reoffending were able to get it. Recent research undertaken by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner has found that 27% of services having to turn away children victims from vital support due to a lack of That's why believe this legislation needs to include statutory duty to commission specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence services based in the community for both adult and child victims.

It is a stain on our nation that victims of the most unimaginable trauma do not have a right to support after abuse. A new statutory duty would also allow us to create parity with accommodation based services that were introduced in the Domestic Abuse Act in 2021 so that community-based services are given the same legislative protection. Secondly I believe that the parents and carers of victims of Sexual violent crimes also require support 1/3 party victims. This has been a campaign led by Pickles, the CEO of rectitude, an amazing local charity which supports third-party victims.

These crimes fracture families and support networks and those left to careful primary victims often develop their own mental health issues, and may even have to give up work. Mothers who must face picking up the pieces after the sexual abuse of their child, or families who have to support domestic abuse victims as they fight for justice. We should look to include them within the scope of support available to victims because the impact of abuse doesn't just harm the primary victim, but can destroy the family as well.

Finally, I recognise that we must not risk a very welcome step forward with potential legal challenges. But I believe we ought to look again at the stricter definition for depriving parental responsibility, particularly where it represents a risk to the child. Many will simply not comprehend how the serious sexual abuse of a child is compatible with the right to family life. What about the child's right to live a life free from harm? I hope the government is willing to work with me and others to tighten this aspect and others as I have outlined as this bill progresses throughout the House.

Thank you.
18:21
Kirith Entwistle Portrait Kirith Entwistle MP (Bolton North East, Labour)
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I declare an interest as a member of the Women and Equalities Committee. Today marks a defining moment, moments when we finally put victims at the heart of our justice system. For countless people in Bolton that moment is long overdue. I'm proud to support this victims and Courts Bill, proud because it empowers judges to compel offenders to attend the sentencing so no victim is left speaking and to avoid. Proud because it finally removes parental rights from child sex offenders, something I cannot believe we are only doing now in To the Victims Commissioner to demand answers, scrutinise the system and drive change, and proud because this bill will speed up justice and teardown needless barriers because survivors deserve a system that works for them, not against them.

From conversations on doorsteps to constituency surgeries, party many of my constituents have experienced domestic abuse and coercive control. That's why I've been working with Bolton's frontline organisations like Fort Alice and endeavour who understand what is at stake and the difference this bill will make. Fort Alice provides refuge and support for domestic abuse survivors, Chief Executive Jill Smallwood told me they've had over 400 referrals since January alone and that this bill will finally deliver the change victims finally deliver the change victims need.

Jill told me that right now victims are left in the dark about bail conditions or release dates, this bill will change that, it will finally allow victims to be kept informed enabling them to nominate a trusted professional to receive updates and access information through dedicated helpline. Endeavour and other local charities support high risk young people like minorities survivors and older victims. There Chief Executive told me of a woman who had to flee her home job and support network to be because she wasn't told her abuser had been released.

This bill would have prevented that, by guaranteeing the victims the right to up-to-date information we are ending uncertainty and removing the burden on victims to constantly chase, ask, call and email for updates. We are saying you deserve to know, you deserve to be safe, you deserve to be heard be reassured as a time of complete uncertainty when you have already endured so much. This bill is ambitious but my constituents in Bolton need to go further. Right now 80% of Domestic Abuse Act is never reported, not because nothing happened but because they the other way be believed.

For those who do the court room can become a second sight of trauma, time and again constituents have told me about misuse of bad character evidence where a survivor's past is wilfully distorted to discredit them. That is not justice its victimisation. This bill must change evident standards so no survivors trauma is ever twisted into testimony against them. This legislation is also long overdue chance to fix how domestic abuse is handled in a family court system, I would urge the ministerial team to go further and strengthen sentences for children abuse is abuse us who intentionally exploit the legal process to maintain control.

We know that the family court system isn't built to withstand this kind of manipulation and abuses have learnt exactly how to weaponised that and win. The children and family Court advisory support service rely on outdated prejudiced views of what family should look like, prioritise and contact with both parents even when one has a proven history of Domestic Abuse Act this and quite policy prioritises the family unit over the child's best interests even when its cost their trust and stability and well-being this bill must go further finally this bill can end the quiet injustice punishing women simply for surviving abuse was I'm proud this surviving abuse was I'm proud this government is putting power back in the hands of victims and I fully support this bill.

support this bill.
18:26
Tristan Osborne Portrait Tristan Osborne MP (Chatham and Aylesford, Labour)
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My first pay tribute to the Member for Knowsley and also the families of victims across this country who are here listening to us today and the victims who are seeking justice through the spell, and also my colleague from -- for her strong articulation of concerns about rape and domestic abuse and my colleague from Penistone, write my writable friend for her very strong articulation, there's been some extremely passionate speeches today and I think they come with their constituents views at the very heart.

As a former police upside seen the Criminal Justice System from both sides and I can tell you it has fallen short over recent years. Not just in prosecuting crime, but in supporting those that are most harmed by it. We've heard that testimony today, this bill is an important and necessary step towards restoring the principal that justice is not just about punishing the offenders, important though that is, but it is standing up for the most important part of it, the victims. I have said this before in my Westminster Hall debates, that justice delayed is justice denied and the record of the previous government with regard to cuts to police numbers, to court waiting times soaring, to probation services mismanaged, to our prison services left for, I'm afraid the inheritance is dire but the government is making a good record of trying to correct Going to cover three points become cautious people want to get in.

On victims right absolutely correct we have reasonable ways of getting the perpetrator into the court room. It is true in my view it needs to go further and I would support visual and audio recording of such things, we do this for the Supreme Court where they are able to see sentencing and I think with victim's consent justice for high-profile cases should be in the public domain and I would say, and I without the government to go further, in allowing the rest of society to see justice being served and I think we are now reaching that point in our technological development around that.

I also believe that victims should have a statutory right, not just a courtesy to be kept informed and their voices heard during the critical stages which this bill engages with. I also support the Victims Commissioner as someone who , antisocial behaviour is one of the major problems in many communities across the country, from nuisance biking to graffiti, to persistent noise, I believe the Victims Commissioner will have a real power in standing up for those people who are sometimes spoken less in society and speak up for those towards local councils and other bodies of authority, so I welcome that measure and I believe those victims of antisocial behaviour should be treated as just the same as any other victim of crime.

I also welcome, I know the member opposite mentioned the sentencing reviews and the time limit with regards to that, he will be aware of course and in this bill we are extending that so the review, if it is received in the last 14 days the existing 28 day period will be an additional 14 days to act. Could it go further? Of course it could, but this is a welcome step nonetheless. Lastly in welcome step nonetheless. Lastly in terms of the court backlogs and the impacts on communities, in my area of Kent, I've raised this in Westminster call, I welcome -- Westminster Hall, I welcome the powers in the bill to improve sentencing powers for six offences including Ognall.

Latin, breach the restraining orders, violation of personal behaviour orders getting the magistrates to step in and work with that, in short, there is a lot in this bill that we should support and encourage colleagues to vote for it today.
18:29
Steve Yemm Portrait Steve Yemm MP (Mansfield, Labour)
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This government was elected on a promise to deliver a justice system that puts the needs of victims first and locally in Mansfield in my constituency, I personally stood to support our police to tackle crime and take back control of our town centre and crackdown on antisocial behaviour. Today's bill alongside other landmark legislation introduced by this government that I voted for in this House, offers further progress to deliberate on this mission for people in Mansfield.

There are three parts of the bill that I would like to highlight that I know will be particularly welcomed back in my constituency. First of all, the strengthening of the powers of the Victims Commissioner. Under previous governments, victims have too often been let down when navigating the Criminal Justice System which has made them feel like an afterthought. It's encouraging to see victims centred in this bill, which has been welcomed by victims organisations and charities to recognise the potential that this legislation has to make a meaningful And secondly that this bill introduces the ability for judges to hand down sanctions for offenders who refused to attend hearings.

The sanctions including things from restriction of social visits to longer sentences, and there are of course numerous examples of murderers refusing to attend sentencing hearings which have led to a need to recognise the need to clarify a courts power to compel attendance. And we know that for some victims, the presence of the offender in court is extremely important for closure and resolution. And I welcome that this bill will force criminals to understand and face up to the consequences of their crimes.

And finally, I will give way.

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Grateful. At risk of being

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Grateful. At risk of being repetitive, will he also press as I have and I think his honourable friend there agree with me for lenient sentences to be dealt with lenient sentences to be dealt with more severely? By which I mean the more severely? By which I mean the Attorney-General having extra time to review those sentences, for there is nothing worse very victim than seen the perpetrator of the crab given undue leniency of the

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sentence. I thank the honourable member for his intervention and I think he is his intervention and I think he is making a very important salient point there, so thank you for raising that. And finally, my third point the bill will place a duty on local authorities and social housing providers to cooperate with the victims Commissioner in relation to antisocial behaviour. I've spoken antisocial behaviour. I've spoken many times in Parliament about the need to do more to support the victims of antisocial behaviour in my constituency and members here will all know I'm sure from their casework inbox that antisocial behaviour is not always a Criminal Justice Act, and that other agencies such as local authorities and social housing providers play an essential part in supporting victims.

This bill will therefore empower the victims Commissioner to get the information needed to identify systemic issues and make informed recommendations and scrutinise as a whole how the system responds to that part, that type of behaviour which I wholeheartedly welcome. And in conclusion, I believe that this bill will ensure that criminal justices do serves victims. The previous government allowed the system to reach the point of collapse, and as a result victims were all too often paying the price, and by contrast, Labour is fixing that mass and reforming the social justice system, and I will therefore be voting for this landmark piece of legislation because I know that the measures in it are going to be welcomed back home in my Mansfield constituency.
18:34
Adam Thompson Portrait Adam Thompson MP (Erewash, Labour)
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Every day we as members here from our constituents victims of crime have been sidelined, left navigate a system that often feels indifferent to their suffering. My decision about what to raise in this debate today stemmed from a conversation I had in my constituency surgery a few weeks ago with a constituent who asked me today to remain anonymous. My constituents told me of an abusive relationship she was in, a relationship that resulted in the birth of a child.

When her child was born my constituent ended up in court in a custody battle over her child. As part of the trial she was accused of refusing the father contact. My constituent told me how this horrific experience made her feel, particularly she told me that the court system she felt was used as a form of abuse by her former partner. She told me that her claim against him was dismissed as her word against his and she asked me to look again at parental rights within the context of abusive relationships.

In another case, again a constituent who asked me to remain anonymous, I heard that my constituent was beaten by a partner who then gain full custody of their child. These are just two of the hundreds of similar stories that I have heard, the thousands of similar stories my constituents could tell or indeed the millions of similar stories that women and girls and indeed men and boys around the country could communicate to us. Well, we are looking at these laws again today.

Under the measures introduced in this bill, because we used to empower victims. The alleged will be required to attend court hearings and Victim Contact Scheme will help victims navigate the legal system with a dedicated helpline. And automatic parental rights will be restricted in cases of child sexual abuse. Exactly as they should be. This bill also includes measures to address antisocial behaviour, an area where I have received lots of rap sensation from my constituents as a no colleagues across the House will have, and my constituency surgery last Saturday morning in fact, another individual took me through the horrific death threats that he had been receiving daily from his neighbour who spent hours a day screaming through the walls of their semi-detached homes at my constituent and his family.

These behaviours let my constituent afraid to leave his home. Under current regulations, elderly nothing was done, and the behaviours only began to let up when the neighbour ultimately decided to move away of their own volition. This isn't good enough. When the system fails, it's the victims who suffer first and who suffer the most. They deserve better. This bill is a critical part of that better future, so today let us send a message that the days of delays, dithering and degradation are over and today our system will put victims first.

put victims first.
18:37
Phil Brickell Portrait Phil Brickell MP (Bolton West, Labour)
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Is a privilege to rise in support of the government's victims and Courts Bill, an important and overdue piece of legislation that puts victims where they should always be, at the heart of our criminal justices to. For too long victims in towns such as Harwich, West Gorton in my constituency have been treated as bystanders, forgotten once the police investigation ends, let down by poor communication and denied a voice in the system that should be shaped to uphold their rights.

And with that in mind I'm pleased that this bill will go some way to fixing those issues, indeed the bill will give the victims Commissioner tools to hold the system to account and stand up for victims and therefore deliver on this party's manifesto commitment at the general election last year. I will particularly like to welcome remarks made by the Lord Chancellor earlier on new powers for victims to attend the hearing sentences. Too many families have watched as those convicted of the most appalling crimes refuse to face the consequences of their actions.

This is about giving victims the right to see justice done. Crucially the bill will help tackle the delays and inequality of access to justice, left of this Labour government to sort out by the party opposite after 14 years in power. It will do this importantly by removing legislative barriers that prevent qualified practitioners from being appointed as Crown Prosecutors, thereby making our system more efficient, more flexible and crucially, more diverse. And it empowers the CPS to recruit from a broader talent pool and ensuring cases are prosecuted more quickly and reduce backlogs.

This will ensure the governors finally able to ensure quick -- quicker justice at the Crown Court for my constituents. Finally I like to welcome provisions in the bill to close loopholes in the unduly lenient sentence scheme. It been remarked upon by the right honourable member opposite, ensuring that the Attorney-General will always have at least 14 days to consider a referral. Even if it is made at the end of the 20 day limit. This guarantees the victims and the public are not denied proper scrutiny of lenient sentences due to late submissions.

This bill is thoughtful, robust and above all it

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is victim focused. I look forward to supporting it during its passage through this place. We now can the front benches for

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We now can the front benches for windups and account to the shadow Minister. I want to begin by thanking

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I want to begin by thanking members on all sides of the House for their contributions in today's debate. We've had powerful speeches that reflect the deep importance of that reflect the deep importance of this bill and the heavy responsibility we all carry to
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18:40
Kieran Mullan Portrait Dr Kieran Mullan MP (Bexhill and Battle, Conservative)
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company on behalf of their loved ones. I want to pay particular tribute to the Member for Knowsley tribute to the Member for Knowsley and are incredibly powerful contribution and to see Cheryl here that first hand, knowing that her that first hand, knowing that her words have been put on the record and that will have impacted semi members today, I'm sure will be members today, I'm sure will be something she will never forget. And we must also forget how difficult their campaigning is, reliving their campaigning is, reliving experiences and memories that the experiences and memories that the worst imaginable.

They pay a very heavy price every time they do that and I thank them for it and no other and I thank them for it and no other members will do the same. The position welcome the intent behind this legislation, members measures this legislation, members measures to compel perpetrators to attend court. The provisions to compel this have come after too many disgraceful examples are the most serious and violent criminal so hidden from justice and from the pain it caused. Must end.

We welcome cross-party support on this topic, but at present the bill misses an important principle, the decision to require an offender's attendance should fundamentally be driven by their wishes of victims and their families. It's they who live with the consequences of crime and who should be at the centre of deciding whether the person who harmed them should be made to face them in court. Justice must not just be seen to be done but shaped by those it seeks to serve. We will work to push for change to this legislation to ensure that the case in future stages.

We will also want to make sure that the balance is correctly struck on the use of force. The prison office Association is clear, notwithstanding concerns about their equipment that in principle they won't reconcile from taking offenders to court. It should only be in the most very exceptional circumstances that it doesn't happen and the legislation needs to ensure that the case. We've also seen concerning stories and parents have dispensed tens of thousands of pounds in court to remove parental rights from serious sexual offenders and I welcome the debt legislation plant under the previous covenant to begin addressing this so at this stage again we welcome a shared desire to act but the most able of her ready concerns from campaigners that the current approach in this bill doesn't cut it and I welcome the commitment I saw reported publicly from the Minister that they will consider how we can strengthen it.

It was in fact the now Home Office minister the Member for Bowman and Yardley joining us in the gallery that last year supported an amendment for a much broader measure than put forward today. Given she spoke up strongly for a broader measure when in opposition and encourage the victims minister to speak to her colleague, a member of foreign government about how this measure. Sure. The debate was around with it applied to just offenders perpetrating effect -- perpetrating offenders against all children.

Our proposed measure was imperfect I think this is the worst of both worlds. Relating to any offences against one's own children and for quite a high bar of a four-year sentence. I think we can do better. We also welcome improvements to victims information, rights and the powers of victims Commissioner, the role which has been maintained on a cross-party basis for a significant time now is incredibly important and I know Baroness Newlove the current commission will look closely at this bill and spot victims and campaigners themselves in their efforts to ensure it delivers and she's also consistently raised a source of funding which is a wizard challenge in every department in terms of the unpaid victim surcharge is, £1 billion plus that might help fund some of the work we want to do.

Whilst there are measures we welcome the changes trialled as measures for victims which are nothing of the sort, for example changes to the Unduly Lenient Scheme, an issue that has caused apparent confusion even in the chamber amongst Labour members who seem to think, I mentioned the Member for example from Bolton West who just mentioned that these are measures for victims. The measures on Unduly Lenient Scheme is nothing to do with victims. 14,000 people signed the petition for Sasha's law, set up by a campaigner who is part of the Justice victims group.

The House will forgive me but I think it's necessary to detail the nature of what happened to a sister. Katie sister Sasha was murdered in 2013 aged just 16, raped, stabbed more than 100 times and her body set on fire. Katie and family believe her killer met the existing criteria for whole life order but was only given a minimum sentence of 35 years. Katie and her family didn't know anything about the right of appeal and even if they did, he really thinks most people are in the right state of mind to be thinking about that sort of thing within 28 days of the sentence being passed? She isn't alone.

Another member of the campaign group was also in the gallery today campaigns and member of her cousin Yan who had been raped and tortured and also the criminal and tortured and also the criminal murdered them and hid their bodies. Companies recently thought when seeing changes were going to be made to the scheme those changes were to give more time beyond the current 28 time limit for victims. But no, the government doesn't want to give victims and families more time.

It wants to give itself more time. More time for government meaning they have longer than victims to think about and reflect on these deeply personal sensitive matters, not more time for victims. That is bordering on insulting and I think the Minister will reflect on and share my concerns about this. In committee we will put forward and with the support apparently of Labour members for example in Ilford South you have committed to spotting it today and the chamber amendments that require more time victims, not just the government.

And on the issue of victim information we welcome the creation of a statutory right to admission about the offender's release but again we ask how will this be delivered, he will stop these helplines and how will victims know their rights and what exactly will they be told? Sometimes the victims Commissioner raised the question of whether victims get to

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What the current circumstance

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What the current circumstance allows is the 28 days for a victim to refer this, and what the bill does is to extend the period for consideration at 14 days, what we want is a victims to just have longer stop it just seems to be absolutely right that should happen, absolutely right that should happen, and perfectly reasonable amendment which the government could bring to their own legislation to just back victims in that consideration. Is victims in that consideration. Is

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that too much to ask really? The member has laid out exactly

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The member has laid out exactly correctly as I said I think I count already three Labour members who supported that today in the chamber. I look forward to them voting in support of an amendment along those support of an amendment along those lines even what they said today in the chamber, I might have to not hold my breath. Let's be clear the hold my breath. Let's be clear the victims of crime need Morgen than just these measures they needed from a justice system that works and delivers justice swiftly fairly and delivers justice swiftly fairly and consistently and that's where this consistently and that's where this And the government we And the government we toughened And the government we toughened up sentences for the worst criminals, we began the task of unpicking automatic halfway early release for offenders introduced by Labour, we quadrupled little victims legal aid and trying to Victims' Code in law, dedicated to hundred £30 million to tackling domestic abuse including quadrupling funding for victims and support services and introduced tagging of domestic abuse is full stop we made a lot of promises and opposition closing on measures today and it's up to them to deliver.

This bill might tighten certain laws and disproves the Vic but fails to address the elephant in the room and does nothing to address the problems will top of all the good it does it does nothing to address the mounting pressures on courts after the gunmen spent a year almost dragging its feet and doing everything it could to get courts operating at a maximum capacity. Even now the Secretary of State the Lord Chancellor is not pulling every lever available when it comes to courts sitting days as the honourable lady chief justice has repeatedly asked her to do.

The truth is victims are still waiting months sometimes years for their cases to be heard, trials collapse, vendor smoke-free, none of that is fixed by the spell. Being a victim of crime is life changing, the very least a just society can do because ensure victims are protected, respected and supported. We authorise the government to commit to greater transparency. Without reliable data cannot have accountability, without that we We would press for regular publications of statistics on courts and hearing delays, trial backlogs, occupancy rates and administrative performance will top victims have the right to understand where and why the system is falling short.

What we will not oppose this bill a second reading we will continue to work constructively to improve this work constructively to improve this We We support We support many We support many of We support many of its We support many of its goals, We support many of its goals, but also continue to ask the difficult questions, is it deliverable, is it enforceable and will actually makes enforceable and will actually makes a victims rights but in the way intended. Let's make this legislation a genuine step towards justice system that works better, justice cannot be delayed, it cannot be selective, it must be felt be selective, it must be felt tangibly fairly and swiftly by those who knew that Mark -- most.
18:49
Alex Davies-Jones Portrait Alex Davies-Jones MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Pontypridd, Labour)
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It is a true privilege to deliver the closing speech for the second reading of the victims in court spell. I would also like to start by paying tribute to the family, most of whom have been the chamber today and those who I have had the privilege of getting to know over the past few months. As the debate today has shown, the house agrees today has shown, the house agrees Criminals should never be allowed to hide away from it and I am grateful to all of the families for their tireless campaign to bring measures on sentencing hearings forward.

These changes are an important step forward for victims and a testament to their courage. Can a pay tribute to my honourable friend the Member for Knowsley for her very powerful words today. Not just her words, but the words of Cheryl Korbel. Whose words will stay with me forever and whose words should have been heard by the perpetrator of her daughter's Is a legacy for Olivia and a legacy for all of those who have currently been failed by the justice system. As the Lord Chancellor has orally outlined, this bill has victims experience at its core.

As the victims minister it is an honour to meet with victims and survivors every single day in this role. This bill has been created with them at its heart. I would like to echo the tribute from the shadow Secretary of State for the justice for victims campaign who I've also had the privilege of meeting. Becky, Susan there are, whose story we powerfully heard from the shadow minister, Paula and I share his saying is here with us today for sub all of them have helped change the law and all of them we are a huge debt of thanks.

This bill today will make the justice system and this is a system, it all needs to work in order for it all to operate effectively and more efficient. So the victims can begin to move on with their lives faster. I sincerely want to thank members from across the House for their thoughtful, powerful, sometimes emotional, but mostly constructive way in which they contributed to the debate today for top the support and justice for victims should never be political. I stand here willing to work with anyone of any stripe of any colour to make sure we bring forward the strongest package available for them.

The issues and the inheritance of our justice system have long been discussed in this place already, it is well known to members what estate our justice system was in when it came into office 10 months ago full stop can I state that it is this government that has begun to rebuild the foundations that justice system. Now today this bill will be just the beginning of our reform program beginning of our reform program We have the independent review about criminal courts led by SA Brian Everson which will lead to a more effective and efficient court system improving timeless victims, witnesses and defendants without jeopardising the requirement for a fair trial for all involved, and we very imminently await the outcome of David gawker's review on sentencing Butch will address a number of the issues members and the House have raised today.

Turning to some of the issues raised by honourable and right honourable members today can I first come to my honourable friend the honourable member for Eastbourne, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, can I say how proud I am to work with him for victims in this place. He has always been constructive and is always seeking to do what is right, although I cannot give him the commitment today, I know I am meeting him tomorrow morning and we will hopefully have very imminently useful him on a lot of the work we've been doing together.

Again can I thank also the member I sat next to him, fellow Liberal Democrat for the work she's done on court transcripts and specifically the pilot for the sentencing remarks. Having spoken to victims and survivors I know how vital that is for them, the pilot is due to end next week and again, we shall very soon be publishing our response to that and where we intend to take that forward. I look forward to speaking further on that soon. Many members in this House spoke about the measures around parental responsibility.

Can I stress that the government have heard the strength of feeling on this issue regarding parental Responsibility. Our focus must be on automatically restricting parental responsibility for offenders who have committed those serious child sexual abuse offences, the most heinous crimes in society. We are taking that step. Today in the spell against for those who have committed these offences against a child when they personally hold parental responsibility because we need to protect those for whom there is direct harm. I would echo the world words of the Secretary of State there is a novel and untested change to the law.

The response from perpetrators is unpredictable so we have currently chosen to focus on the highest harm plate cases first because we don't want to have unintended consequences and we need to prioritise all vulnerable children who are going to the family courts. However this is the

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beginning as we have said and we look forward to working constructively across the House on this measure. I know that she cares deeply

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I know that she cares deeply about this, I wonder if in the course of this bill the government will look at possible amendments will look at possible amendments that could see the family courts and the presumption of contact and make

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sure we and the cycle of abuse? Champion for this cause and looking at protecting children going through the family courts as is my honourable friend the Member for Penistone Bridge his contribution today was equally powerful. Again, meeting her constituent Claire and meeting her constituent Claire and sharing the story of Jack and Paul will stick with me forever. It's what I think about on a daily basis. what I think about on a daily basis. This government is committed to ensuring that the family justice system delivers the right outcomes system delivers the right outcomes for survivors of domestic abuse and their children, we have heard the concerns loud and clear not just from this chamber but from outside from this chamber but from outside on the need to go further here, on the need to go further here, child welfare must also always be the family courts paramount consideration when making decisions about that child's life.

I want to state we have undertaken a review at the Ministry of Justice on presumption of parental involvement, the findings along with any recommendations will be published shortly and I look forward to working with members across the House including my honourable friend's on this soon. There were a lot of comments across the House regarding the unduly lenient sentence scheme welcoming the measures in the bell around extending the timeline for the Attorney-General to effectively look at the cases so they are looked at properly so justice can be served.

Members will know that the Law Commission is undertaking a review into the unduly new sentencing scheme as a whole and I would welcome, I'm sure the Law Commission would welcome feedback from members on that and of course we will look at the findings of the Law Commissions review closely so we ensure that any recommendations put forward are carried out effectively.

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I've always liked by the way.

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I've always liked by the way. Well that review be in time to mend this bill, that's the key I think two I take on face value what she

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said about that, will it be in time? If not when? It's important to look at any recommendations the Law Commission does properly and effectively, of does properly and effectively, of does properly and effectively, of does properly and effectively, of First year of a five year Parliament and this will not be the only bell that comes forward from the Ministry of Justice will stop the justice system we inherited from the system we inherited from the previous government was in crisis, we are beginning to put that back piece by piece starting with prisons, courts, victim support, family courts looking at it as a whole.

Of course there will be whole. Of course there will be further legislative vehicles coming through but this could be reviewed as if they are to be adopted by the Ministry of Justice. I know we are short on time this evening but I wanted to come back to the Member wanted to come back to the Member for the Weald of Kent's comments on and just put on record again because I think it needs to be said this government is absolutely focused on delivering mean for change victims impacted by these horrendous crimes.

Earlier this year we published our plan for responding to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recommendations through the Crime and Policing Bill that I'm also proud to be a government minister on, we are strengthening the law in the introducing mandatory reporting duties to make the offence to fail to report or cover up child sexual abuse, were also legislating in the bill to make reading a statutory at rating factor in the sentencing of child sexual offences to ensure that this behaviour is reflected in the sentencing of To remove the three-year limit for compensation claims and shift the burden of proof on victims to defendants in the civil courts and amend the law of apologies to encourage players to apologise people wronged by their employees.

Legislative vehicles currently being identified for that measure but I just wanted to stress again that it is this government that is getting on with jobs and delivering for those victims and survivors. We are not delaying, we are actively working and we are doing so at pace to ensure that justice will be served and support is available. The honourable member raised the case of Alan Bragg, against Derby had the On and the victims notification scheme we are introducing through the spell strengthening that, opening up to more victims and during that time the commune occasion is available, is something that victims have told me time and time again is needed.

This will be a testament to that. The course for Wales, she notices a proud Welsh LP -- MP I always stand up for Wales and Pontypridd, justice and the covers England Wales Abbasi is important and I meeting was government shortly to feedback on her concerns. A number of colleagues mentioned the bad character evidence, they will also be aware that the Law Commission is looking into this and we will again carefully consider the recommendations. Again I want to stress to the members in the south that I'm willing to work constructively on all of these issues that are been raised today and this bill that is before us is a number of one of many legislative vehicles we will have.

In conclusion, this bill today stand before us as a legacy for the victims and survivors I have had the honour of meeting in my 10 months in this role. These changes are long overdue, they will strengthen the justice system, help deliver the account ability in service victims of crime want and deserve. I urge this House to give them its full support. I stand ready to work with everyone on that. I proudly commend this bill to the House.

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The question is that the Bill be now read a second time. As many are of that opinion say, "Aye", and of of that opinion say, "Aye", and of the contrary, "No". The "Ayes" have

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it. Programme motion to be moved formally. I'm back to me. The question is as on the Order

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The question is as on the Order Paper. As many are of that opinion say, "Aye", and of the contrary,

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say, "Aye", and of the contrary, "No". The "Ayes" have it. Money resolution to be moved formally. I beg to me.

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The question is as on the Order Paper. As many are of that opinion say, "Aye", and of the contrary, "No". The "Ayes" have it.

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"No". The "Ayes" have it. I beg to move that this House do now adjourn. I will let the Front Benches have a moment or two just to quickly swap over as we prepare for the
19:01
Joe Morris Portrait Joe Morris MP (Hexham, Labour)
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over as we prepare for the Colleagues should be charting less and exiting the chamber swiftly or remaining. -- Chatting. The question is that this House do now adjourn and I call the Joe Morris.

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Thank you. I'm very glad to secure this important debate and very glad to the members who have stayed in the chamber and to share stayed in the chamber and to share my concerns about the conditions of school buildings in Northumberland, in Newcastle and indeed across the in Newcastle and indeed across the country. Speaking on the condition of school buildings and the education of our young people should not be used for political gain or not be used for political gain or making cheap political points, and typically I'm not here to do that.

Avidly visit schools through my constituency and despite these being schools in the largest geographical schools in the largest geographical constituency in England, they are all united by a clear overarching similarity, the dedication of similarity, the dedication of teachers and staff to ensuring that their students are accessing the best possible education and best possible education and resources. From Queen Elizabeth high school to Hexham Middle School, Longhorsley Saint Helens Church of England first School, the list goes England first School, the list goes on.

An unwavering strength of community throughout local schools, fostered by the teachers, parents and staff and students and is a testament to their constituency to represent a region that cares so much about the future of our young people. When we invest in the condition of our schools, we are not just fixing buildings and infrastructure, you're investing in the education of our students and the future of our young people, creating secure learning environment that should allow all students to reach their full potential. Unfortunately for students at high school my constituency, those young people have been let down.

In February, students were due to sit their GCSE and A-level exams but structural issues close the school while investigations were conducted first as a testament to the strength of crude is community, the staff and credit to their Head Teacher and students have been successfully relocated to a building in Washington with minimal disruption. Relocating IT equipment, removing furniture, launching cleaning and repairs is no small fee and I commend everyone for their dedication to printer students and to finding the most appropriate location for them to continue their education in what must be some very very trying circumstances.

I think that's my own XP is doing GCSEs and A-levels not that long ago and it was challenging enough to do them in a school that was great as it was it's one more thing to imagine Jimmy about stress and losing at that time on the bus every week. Everyone except the best take outcome would have been for students to go back into school to receive the education on site. This MP would not have been safe and I want to commend the Department of education the hard work and support and reassurance that they provided the students, teachers, parents and staff every step of the way.

But it raises a very Urgent Question stop how can a school built less than nine years ago under the previous government be closed due to cracks in the building's infrastructure? There is one clear answer to me. The blatant disregard of the previous government for the community of my constituency. The Conservative government had launched a priority school building program with the intention to rebuild and refurbish school buildings in the worst condition across the country. What they appear to have achieved could be described as the opposite.

I will give way to the honourable member

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first and my honourable friend. And I commend the honourable gentleman for bringing this forward? I spoke to him this afternoon to I spoke to him this afternoon to seek his permission to intervene. He is right to highlight the issue of is right to highlight the issue of the schools, but the most important thing about the schools as the children and pupils and he very children and pupils and he very clearly outline that to be the issue. When a school only eight or nine years old, it seems to me that nine years old, it seems to me that there should be a war -- and award there should be a war -- and award -- warranty that covers all of those.

I feel under warranty as I those. I feel under warranty as I would expect that the warranty would be substantial coverage to ensure be substantial coverage to ensure that it could be repaired and the children moved back to school because that's the most important

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thing. Is absolutely correct, the most important thing is the children. It's the whole community and if he It's the whole community and if he ever has the opportunity to visit procuring to high school, he will procuring to high school, he will see the most extraordinary set of students and staff desperate to get the children back onto the site back learning, and PC HS was where my mum went to school so I feel very personal into the school and I've spoken to the head teacher multiple times about making sure we get those students back onto side with the correct support needed, so absolutely agree with him on that.



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I think Kim for giving way, and he is making an excellent speech, clearly a passionate advocate for his schools. Another school in Northumberland is Berwick Academy Northumberland is Berwick Academy which in 2011 was community high School and became an academy for the FTSE is it now requires improvement FTSE is it now requires improvement from being good. And unfortunately with the physical plan of the building, and now has toilets, building, and now has toilets, students dollars with black modern there.

That's a terrible feeling and there. That's a terrible feeling and we are waiting still on the plan to rebuild that school. 2021 the county rebuild that school. 2021 the county council had a plan to build a B are still waiting. Does he agree with me these are just not good enough standards for our students, parents and community as a whole in

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Northumberland? He is a very passionate advocate for his constituency for the north for his constituency for the north of the county and too often I think school so I constituency aunties and others in Northumberland are victims others in Northumberland are victims of the kind of manana attitude of Northampton County Council. I think far too long whether it's on this or SEND transport, they are asleep at the wheel when it comes to issues affecting the children of Northumberland. But not only has the structural issues of the school damage to the community, it has clearly damaged their education but one thing that -- really stuck out to me was a quote from the four medication Would the Minister that the schools were built one third cheaper on average than schools got under Labour's flagship building program.

But education services should not just be used for political gain when our county's young people depend on it. The students of Prudhoe deserve a need a safe place to continue their education, in the short-term and the long-term. Now when Paul was linked to the observer, -- leaked that a senior official at DV had described upcoming risk three years ago that many schools were in such disrepair they were a risk to life, I don't believe that a newly rebuilt community high School in Prudhoe was one of the ones at the top of their minds.

Now while the school may have been described and the facilities were described as fantastic when they reopen, they were a welcome investment. It's clear that something has gone seriously wrong and I completely take the honourable gentleman's point about the need to look at warranty, obviously I think for my generation warranty is something you consider on a mobile phone not a public institution like a school. But something clearly needs to be done and I would really like the Minister to reflect on what can be done to investigate how this went so badly wrong.

How this community was let down because the students of PC HS deserve nothing more. -- Less. They deserve the very least an apology. To experience a school close for an indeterminate period of time is disruption that no student should have to experience. It uproots lives, derails routine, destabilises students. No child should have to go through this. No parent should be forced to watch the child go through this. And the school isn't just as the honourable member indicated just a building where children learn.

It's a building where children feel safe, supportive, and should feel at home.

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Thank you. I've had a visit today from same buffet school, that's the 17th school of the 43 in my constituency that I've seen or visited, and the Edgeley spoke to me today about the school fabric and today about the school fabric and the importance of the building in terms of having the right environment to make sure that not environment to make sure that not just students as you refer to my honourable friend, but also the teachers, the parents and the teachers, the parents and the community can feel proud of, a place where the children can thrive and actually the fabric of the building is really important for education.

Would you agree with me that we need Would you agree with me that we need to do something as we go forward for all of those schools across the country to make sure their fabric is maintained and looked after?

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maintained and looked after? He is absolutely right, and like him after my best to get around as him after my best to get around as many schools in the constituency as I have and having said that I feel letters from Head Teachers have not letters from Head Teachers have not got round to coming in, the fabric of school is really important and whether I'm thinking about the whether I'm thinking about the smaller schools in my constituency where you go up to Kielder and is an incredibly small school and incredibly small school and incredibly tightly focused tightly knit group of young people and staff or whether it some of the larger schools are indeed some schools out schools are indeed some schools out of my constituency in Newcastle were some of the children from Throckley go.

Making sure those schools are places where they feel invested is really important and I think some of the damage that has been done to the community in Prudhoe is due to the feeling that they were led up the garden path, promised a school that should be... Prudhoe was an incredible community, is one of the shining lights of the Tyne Valley, one of the best places to go, one of the best places to be in my constituency at the Tyne Valley although all towns in the Tyne Valley are excellent.

It deserves so much more, deserves a Rolls-Royce of a school. And I just want to return to the fact that not only was the last Labour government building schools for the Future program scrapped, in my view the replacement program appears to be poorly crafted program appears to be poorly crafted at best, and before I move on to closing remarks, I want to briefly mention and the school in my constituency, Haydon Bridge high School for the school with a dedicated teaching force and head teacher in David Nesbitt who works tirelessly for is community and really focused on innovative ways of improving the school, of improving employability and improving ways of moving forward, improving outcomes for the students and also making sure that that school, which I believe and I don't want to inadvertently mislead the House but I believe is in an area larger than the M25 catchment area.

The challenges of such a rural school are absolutely massive. Now that school is one where I visited fairly recently. I was able to discuss some of the challenges they faced getting the adequate funds in, getting the adequate support in. It did get mine investment and the last government, don't get me wrong, that's honestly welcome. But it didn't touch the sides of what was needed. I did not touch the sides of the fact that I would like to see Northampton County Council do something about the state of the schools toilets for top the head teachers tell me one of the number-one things raised by student voice.

These are little things that could be done and unfortunately as a council maintained school, it's something I believe the council should step in and take some action. I could wait. But the list of inadequacies and backing provided to those schools I could go on. How can conditions of the school building be fostered and an educational environment for students to reach their full potential with adequate investment? Drawing attention to the work of the RISE program, had some correspondence with the head of Haydon Bridge who recognised that the contextual support that the high school is now getting mindful of its hyper rubble, hyper sparsely populated location is something that is really welcome.

And I think that contextual support is really necessary, not just in terms of the structural elements of the schools but also in terms of the consideration of the socio-economic make-up of their student bodies. It's not just applicable to PC HS and Haydon Bridge high school but every school building throughout Northumberland, throughout the course and the north-east. It was on the receiving end of 14 years of Conservative neglect. Throughout my constituency we've got one for teachers who adapt to the diverse needs of the communities they teach.

From the western edge of Newcastle in places like Throckley, the towns and villages of the Tyne Valley and the most remote communities in the Allen valleys in the North Tyne, all of these teachers are striving to ensure that pupils have the best possible start in life. It's only right that their dedication and hard work is allowed to be delivered in buildings fit for the present and for the future. I will continue to speak of our young people to ensure they access not only the education they need but the education they deserve.

I will continue to give voice to the voices of Northumberland, Newcastle and north-east more broadly. Chronic underfunding, deliberate neglect and thoughtless oversight is what the Conservative contempt for the West of Northumberland proffer 100 years of domination. But it needs to end with this Labour government. Before end I want to thank once again the dedication of the Department of education for their commitment to supporting the community of Prudhoe, I wonder thank Sunderland College for the gracious hospitality and hosting the staff and students of Croda community high School -- Prudhoe.

And for doing everything they possibly could for students to continue accessing education and doing what they can to reassure parents during what is a very very difficult transition. And most of want to pay tribute to the community of Prudhoe, to the councillors who worked particular hard, to Andrew Scott and Lawrence O'Donnell who have been fantastic voices for their community during what was a very fraught time, anything particularly those who did not jump in when the news about Prudhoe community high School first broke did not immediately seek to politicise it, or score points.

Alison bottom look at this in context and look at the damage that was done by the poor decisions made by the previous government, this is not about scoring points, it's about getting a fair deal for a community that suffered for too long. So was time the previous government was held to account for their failure and neglect and that starts in my view with students and staff at Prudhoe with students and staff at Prudhoe community high School. community high School.
19:15
Stephen Morgan Portrait Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Portsmouth South, Labour)
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Thank you. May I start by thanking my honourable friend the Member for Hexham for securing a debate on this important subject? I note these are tireless champions for children and young people in his constituency and a strong voice on the matters that he has raised in the adjournment debate tonight. Also thank all members for their contributions by interventions this Education is at the heart of this government's mission to breakdown barriers to opportunity and give every young person the best starting life no matter their background.

14 years after the cancellation of the building schools for the Future program, this government inherited a school estate in dire need of repair. We are committed to fixing repair. We are committed to fixing the foundations for staff and pupils and determined to drive high and rising education standards for children across the country. That is why we are protecting key education prioritise -- party that the budget and increasing investment of £2.1 billion to improve the condition of school buildings up from 1.8 billion last year, and have can committed to continuing the current school rebuilding program.

We are driving forward this program, including five schools and colleges in Starting from this April we are kicking off work on 100 school rebuilding projects, ramping up the pace of delivery backed by 1.4 billion this year in recognition of urgent need to improve the condition of school buildings. And we are funding the permanent removal of RAAC in schools and colleges crafts England working directly with the affected schools to suit individual needs. We support local authorities, Academy trusts and voluntary school bodies are responsible for keeping the building safe and in good working order.

By providing capital funding, rebuilding programs and extensive guidance and support. They work with their schools on a day- And are best placed to manage their buildings with local knowledge of individual condition, need and priorities. Where the Department for education is notified of significant safety issues with a school building that cannot be managed with local resources we provide additional advice and support on a case-by-case basis. We want all schools and colleges to have the resources and buildings they need to give our young people the freedom to learn in safe and high-quality environments.

With regards to specific points raised by my honourable friend the mammoth Hexham I appreciate the significant disruption and challenges that preload committee high school building closure has caused for everyone involved. The safety of pupils and staff is of paramount importance. We have been providing advice and support to responsible bodies since we were made aware of the building issue that the schools which led to the decision by the trust to close the school in February 2025. We worked closely with the school trust to identify alternative accommodation options to return pupils to face- to-face education as quickly as possible.

All pupils were relocated to Sunderland colleges, Washington campus as a whole school community and resumed face-to-face education from 31 March this year. I can assure my honourable friend that our priority and focus remains to return pupils to education on the school site as soon as possible. I'm aware that the school was built as part of the priority school building program in 2016 as my honourable friend identified, from our own investigations we understand this is an isolated issue. We are working closely with the trust as its investigations continue into the cause of the problem as a matter of priority, we will continue to work with the trust and remediation options to enable a return to the school site.

In conclusion, we are a mission led government dedicated to breaking down the barriers to opportunity and giving every child the best start in life. We can't do this without well-maintained buildings where children and young people can learn safely which is why Our school estate management standards, gathering in one place links to key policies, processes and practical advice on the basics of managing a school estate to help the bodies that manage school buildings day-to-day to progress to fully effective practice. Driving high and rising school standards is at the heart of our plan for change to improve children's life chances and high-quality sustainable buildings are a key part of that.

For far too long our school estate has been neglected, the government is gripping this issue, ensuring that

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school buildings are fit for the future. The question is that this House do now adjourn. As many are of that opinion say, "Aye", and of the opinion say, "Aye", and of the contrary, "No". The "Ayes" have it.
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