Much of this week has been dedicated to the Government’s landmark Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which started its parliamentary journey with its first and second readings.
The bill is an important piece of legislation designed to make sentences tougher for serious criminals, make victims safer and protect our communities.
It gives the police and authorities more powers to tackle unauthorised encampments; allows for stricter bail conditions in the case of violent and sexual offences; ensures the desecration of war memorials and graves is treated with the seriousness that it deserves.
It legislates to ensure that life term prisoners spend longer in jail rather than out on licence, and longer sentences are given to those who assault emergency workers.
The Bill fulfils a manifesto commitment but also responds to the way society has changed over the past year. There are more hurdles for it to pass before it becomes law but it’s contents will be overwhelmingly positive for the people of Hinckley and Bosworth in the knowledge that they are safer because of it.
Aside from that this week I have:
- Asked the Home Secretary Priti Patel in the Chamber about protecting the rights of protesters to express dissent, and the police to act proportionately.
- Met with the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, to discuss how we can look to improve facilities at Hastings High School in Burbage.
- Took part in the Health & Social Care Select Committee where we questioned Matt Hancock about the NHS White Paper, you can see my questions here: https://www.drlukeevans.org.uk/news/health-and-social-care-select-committee-matt-hancock
- And asked the Secretary of State for Health in the House of Commons about how long it will take the Government to address the backlog of elective operations.
- Took part in a round table meeting with BEIS Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan about the future of hydrogen as an energy source, really important to Bosworth given the jobs provided here in the constituency.
- Met with PCC Candidate Rupert Matthews to hear about his plans for prioritising the safety of residents in Hinckley and Bosworth.
- Had a briefing from Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi about the ongoing success of the vaccines rollout in the UK.
- Met with Midlands connect to follow up on progress with the A5 and the bridge outside Hinckley.
