July Newsletter

Parliament

Since my last update it has been a busy period in Parliament. I’ve appeared in front of the Justice Select Committee to explain the work of the Attorney General’s Office, answered questions at Solicitor General Questions and done a national media round.   

As Solicitor General, I’ve always said my number one priority is tackling violence against women and girls. I am very proud to have this month rolled out the Early Victims’ Right to Review (EVRR) nationwide.   

Under the scheme, victims can now ask for a second independent opinion before the Crown Prosecution Service decides to drop a case. In our trial areas, victims whose cases would have been wrongly dropped have instead had them continue. This is a big change, as previously victims could only ask for a review after their case had been dropped. 

I want to pay tribute to Jade Blue, a victim of rape, who had her case wrongly dropped by the CPS. Jade and I did a whole day of media promoting the scheme and it was her tireless campaigning that made this change possible and will ensure that other women have the second chance at justice she was wrongfully denied.  

At Solicitor General Questions, I answered a whole range of questions from jury trials, the EVRR but also importantly how this government is supporting victims of domestic abuse. Earlier in the year, I secured an additional £5m from the Treasury to provide enhanced support for victims of domestic abuse in court.  

Last month the Government trebled the number of domestic abuse specialists embedded in 999 control rooms across the country, under our second phase of ‘Raneem’s Law’. This means 999 control rooms have expert support when it matters and this has already led to better outcomes for victims.  

I have also visited Barnardo’s FGM Centre to learn about how they are working to tackle harmful attitudes towards women and girls. It was brilliant to hear about the vital work they are doing.  

Another big change we made this month was to increase the starting point in sentences for domestic abusers who kill their current or ex-partner at the home. Previously, murderers who used a weapon at their home only faced a starting point of 15 years in prison, compared to 25 years for a murder where someone had brought a weapon to the scene. It is completely wrong that perpetrators who killed in the home were facing a far lighter starting point than other murderers. This change was only possible due to the tireless campaigning of victims’ families who were determined to ensure other families get the justice they deserve.   

I also had a lovely morning at the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast with Father Philip Smith and Bishop Lennox Hamilton. Both do great work in our local community and this year’s theme was hope for the future – something I think we can all get behind. 

Community

I had a great school visit at the start of the month where year one pupils at Our Lady & St Philip Neri gave me a brilliant presentation about the history of parliament. I also had a tour of their facilities, including their sky garden and famous brass band room!

We also had some great news that from September three more primary schools will be rolling out Labour’s free breakfast clubs. The schools are Holy Trinity, Our Lady & St Philip Neri and Kelvin Grove. I am looking forward to visiting the schools again in September and to hearing how the rollout is going.  

It’s also been a busy summer with lots of events and fairs. It was lovely to visit the Blythe Hill Festival and meet lots of local groups who are doing great things for the community. I also visited the Hall Drive street party in Sydenham – complete with bouncy castle, magician and cuddles with very cute Stormy the kitten! And it was great to join the celebrations for the 125th anniversary of the Horniman. 

Alongside Janet Daby, MP for Lewisham East, I also visited the Catford and Bromley Synagogue. It was wonderful to see the synagogue and meet the community. We discussed the great work it does with young people and the need to do more to tackle antisemitism. 

I was also honoured to open Hestia‘s new therapeutic garden. Hestia does incredible work supporting vulnerable individuals across London and helping people on their journey to recovery. 

And as part of Carers Week, I visited Sydenham Ignition Peer Support at Ignition Brewery to hear about their experiences as unpaid carers in Lewisham. The work they do to support those they care for is vital and it’s essential that they continue to receive high quality support. 

As always, if you have any issues you’d like to raise with me, please do get in touch.  

Best wishes,  

Ellie