Crime and Policing Bill
Many people have got in touch to express their views on certain amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill regarding the issue of abortion. I have made my views clear on this for many years. I am not “anti abortion” as I believe that there are circumstances when it is right to assist a woman terminate […]
Jimmy Lai imprisonment in Hong Kong
Sir John Whittingdale MP meets Sebastian Lai to discuss his father, Jimmy Lai’s, imprisonment in Hong Kong
PIP Changes
Many people have got in touch about the Government’s changes to disability benefits. I am firmly of the belief that the Government has a duty to ensure the most vulnerable in our society are able to live with the dignity they deserve. Our welfare system should encourage and support people into work, while providing a […]
Legal Aid Agency: Cyber-security Incident
Sarah Sackman The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice With permission, I will make a statement about an incident that has affected the Legal Aid Agency—an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. The House will appreciate that while investigations are ongoing, there are limits to the amount of information that I can share publicly. However, the Government wish to […]
National Security Act 2023: Charges
Yvette Cooper The Secretary of State for the Home Department With permission, Mr Speaker, I will make a statement about the charging of three individuals under the National Security Act 2023 that took place on 17 May, and the further action that the Government are taking to counter national security threats. I want to thank the police and the security […]
Data Bill: Recording Data on Sex and Gender
Many of my constituents have contacted me about recording data on sex and gender. Last year, the previous Government commissioned Professor Alice Sullivan to conduct an independent review of the accuracy of public data on biological sex and gender. Professor Sullivan was tasked with identifying obstacles to accurate data collection and research on sex and […]
Assisted Dying
I continue to receive a huge amount of correspondence on the Assisted Dying Bill currently before Parliament. This is a profoundly sensitive and deeply personal issue. I want to begin by acknowledging that many people support this bill out of compassion — often informed by painful personal experiences of watching loved ones suffer. I have […]
Supreme Court Ruling on the definition of a woman
Many of my constituents have got in touch to share their heartfelt concerns regarding the recent Supreme Court judgment in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers (UKSC 16). I fully recognise the impact that decisions like this can have on the daily lives of transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming […]
Avian Influenza
John Whittingdale Conservative, Maldon What steps his Department is taking to help prevent the spread of avian influenza. Daniel Zeichner The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for raising this extremely serious issue. To prevent the further spread of disease and manage the risk of […]
Wealth Taxes
A number of people have contacted me about wealth taxes. The UK does not have a comprehensive, single wealth tax, but it does have several taxes on assets and wealth. Notably, the Wealth Tax Commission, which has no connection or link to the Government, found in 2020 that, if considering Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Stamp Duty, and Stamp Duty Land Tax, […]