2022 June

“World Class Heritage…Second Class Pay” was the title of the lobby of Parliament by members of the Prospect Union on Thursday 30 June 2022. I spoke to members of the Union in Parliament Square. They told me that Heritage is a vital part of the UK Economy- the value it adds to our economy is comparable to agriculture, film and TV production or the motor industry. It attracts 13 million international visitors a year spending over £7bn. 

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill was considered in a Committee of the Whole House on Wednesday 29 Jun 2022. The committee stage of a Bill allows Members to scrutinise it line-by-line, usually in smaller Committees. A Committee of the Whole House is used for legislation of particular constitutional or ethical significance, and is chaired by the Deputy Speaker from a seat at the Table of the House.

The Alliance for Youth Justice and Agenda: The Alliance for Women and Girls at Risk have published a joint report into the experience of young women in the criminal justice system, titled “We’ve Not Given Up”. The report was launched in a well-attended Committee Room 10 on 29 June 2022 at an event chaired by Florence Eshalomi MP. 

Mr Speaker granted two Urgent Questions on Tuesday 28 June 2022. The first was to ask The Secretary of State for Justice to make a statement on the incidence of rape cases not taken forward for criminal prosecution. I was able to ask the Minister the following question:

At Treasury Questions on 28 June 2022, I asked the Chancellor about the work of agencies investigating fraud during the pandemic.