It was great to start this week on a high note by passing the Domestic Abuse Bill through the Commons. This ground-breaking piece of legislation will transform the response to domestic abuse in this country by widening the definition of abuse, improving the efficacy of the justice system and better supporting victims. A new Domestic Abuse Commissioner will be created to stand up for victims and survivors and monitor the response by local authorities.
Having previously sat on the Women and Equalities Committee, this is an issue close to my heart. The Bill will help thousands of women – and men, as must be remembered too – get the support, protection and justice they deserve.
While this was a big moment, it is important to remember that much that happens in Parliament goes on behind the scenes. This week I sat on a Delegated Legislation Committee; a small group of MPs who meet with ministers to scrutinise public policy changes that do not require full parliamentary legislation. Amongst other things, we resolved to increase the time biometric data on terror suspects entering British ports can be held from three years to five, something which I believe will help keep us safer.
Undoubtedly, for many, lockdown and the resulting economic slowdown will have been and continue to be very difficult. We are sadly already seeing some major retailers and other companies announce job losses. I was therefore pleased to be in the Chamber on Wednesday to hear the Chancellor announce new measures to protect jobs.
This new package of measures will be worth as much as £30 billion, which is on top of the £160 billion plan already in place to protect businesses and jobs during the pandemic. Amongst other things, companies will be given a bonus for furloughed workers they retain, VAT will be cut for some of the worst hit sectors (tourism and hospitality, including pubs and restaurants), fund additional training programmes to help get young people back into work and create new jobs in the green economy with several billion pounds of spending.
I am particularly pleased about the unprecedented “Eat Out to Help Out” proposal, which will give people a 50% discount up to £10 on meals at pubs, restaurants and cafés on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the month of August. This should act as a real incentive to all of us to go out and support our local eateries and make sure they stay in business – I know I will be! It will be great especially for all our wonderful local pubs in the Meon Valley.
One industry that has been particularly hard hit by the lockdown is live events. I asked the Chancellor whether any further support would be available for this industry and whether it might be able to access some of the £1.57 billion arts funding recently announced. As live events and venues are such an integral part of many cultural events, I hope that some of this funding will reach the industry. You can watch my question here.
Last weekend I spent a very wet morning visiting shops in Clanfield. On Friday I did the same in Rowland’s Castle, though thankfully with better weather! It is fantastic to be able to get out and about around the constituency again and I am hoping to visit many more places in the near future.
