(1 week, 6 days ago)
Commons ChamberI would be honoured to meet the hon. Lady to discuss the case she mentions.
Euan Stainbank (Falkirk) (Lab)
The Scottish Parliament is this week considering a Bill by the fantastic Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon that would enable the prosecution of climate criminals who cause widespread, long-term or irreversible damage to our environment. What consideration have Ministers given to consulting on making ecocide a criminal offence across the United Kingdom?
I have had positive conversations with colleagues across Government, including in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, about how we can progress on that. I will be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss what more work we can do.
(2 months ago)
Commons Chamber
Euan Stainbank (Falkirk) (Lab)
The Hillsborough law will deliver a generational strengthening of legal aid, but does the Minister share my constituents’ concern about the fact that the Scottish Government have yet to confirm that similar non-means-tested legal aid will be available to bereaved families in Scotland?
I can confirm that we have had positive conversations with the Scottish Government about extending the provision to Scotland. This is a matter for them, but we are engaging in positive conversations, and they have shown willing in wanting to adopt the same model that we will be adopting to provide non-means-tested legal aid for all bereaved families when there has been state involvement in the death of their loved ones.