Skip to main content
Site logo

Main navigation

  • Home
  • About Aaron Bell
  • News
  • In Parliament
  • Coronavirus
  • Contact
Site logo

THE WEEK IN WESTMINSTER #14

  • Tweet
Sunday, 12 July, 2020

Last week began with the passing of the Domestic Abuse Bill on Monday; a historic piece of legislation that strengthens protections for victims of domestic abuse and ensures that perpetrators will face the full force of the law at the earliest possible stage.

It establishes a Domestic Abuse Commissioner, to stand up for victims and survivors and monitor the response of every part of the state which has oversight in this area, including local authorities, the justice system and other agencies.

Following cross-party working, the Bill also now outlaws the so-called “rough sex gone wrong” defence to murder/manslaughter, and a further amendment was accepted that means children who live in environments where domestic abuse happens are treated as victims too.

On Tuesday we had statements on both Coronavirus and the Government’s £1.7 billion package of support for the arts - this sector has been particularly badly hit by Coronavirus and looks likely to be one of the last areas to be able to reopen.

And on Wednesday, we had the Summer Economic Update from the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak - which has been described by some as a mini-Budget (there is a full Budget coming in the autumn). Understandably the Chancellor is having to make major financial decisions more frequently during this crisis.

The package Rishi announced was focused on jobs - both maintaining as many existing jobs as possible, by offering incentives to firms taking people back off furlough, but also in creating new jobs by supporting more apprenticeships and traineeships. Although they are generally at low medical risk, the young have been particularly badly hit in economic terms, and it is right that we make sure we put as many measures in place as possible to help them back into work.

I did not have much luck with the Commons lottery system this week (you have to enter a glorified raffle to ask questions or speak after statements) but was pleased to be able to question the Chancellor at Treasury Questions on Tuesday. I also had meetings with a number of ministers, including the Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg; and the Trade Secretary Liz Truss.

Finally, on Thursday, the Science and Technology Committee grilled Huawei and other telecoms executives about the UK’s 5G plans, and the security implications of including Huawei (only at the "edge", not the "core") or of excluding them (which does leave us reliant on just two vendors in the short term). Expect a Government decision shortly.

Next week there are a number of Bills proceeding through the Commons. We start by ratifying elements of last week’s changes to stamp duty, and we continue with a number of Bills including the extremely glamorous-sounding Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill. This is actually a pretty important piece of legislation as it will mean councils - including town and parish councils - no longer have to pay business rates on public toilets, which should help keep more of them open around the country.

With best wishes, Aaron

  • Local News

You may also be interested in

Free School Meals Vote - 21 October

Thursday, 22 October, 2020

I have received a number of emails and Facebook comments regarding the vote on 21st October regarding Free School Meals. Those that have been personally abusive will not be responded to (and those being abusive on Facebook will be banned).

Show only

  • Local News
  • Speeches in Parliament
  • Westminster News

Aaron Bell MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • About Aaron Bell
  • In Parliament
Site logoPromoted by Mark Holland on behalf of Aaron Bell MP, both of 3 Queens Parade, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 1RW
Copyright 2021 Aaron Bell MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme. All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree