This afternoon I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate secured by my Honourable Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston. In my speech, I spoke of the importance of Women's Centres in supporting, educating and counselling women in a suitable environment to prepare them for a future away from the criminal justice system. Women’s centres are central to the success of the Female Offender Strategy. … [Read more...]
Modern Slavery Debate
This morning I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on modern slavery and victim support on behalf of the shadow front bench. There is cross party support for eradicating this abhorrent practice and you can view the full debate here. … [Read more...]
Misogyny as a Hate Crime
This morning I responded on behalf of the Opposition, to a Westminster Hall Debate on misogyny. All too often, society and the legal system continue to trivialise these acts of abuse and there is a long overdue need for a change in the law so that misogynistic acts are treated as the serious hate crimes that they actually are. Misogyny is a crime motivated by hostility and it needs … [Read more...]
Drug Consumption Rooms
On Thursday of last week, I responded to a debate on Drug Consumption Rooms on behalf of the Opposition. The debate started at 4:30pm and was due to last an hour, but divisions in the House (when MPs are called to vote) meant that we debated on until nearly 8pm to make up for the interruptions! You can watch the full debate here or read a transcript of the debate. … [Read more...]
Product safety and fire risk in residential premises
This afternoon I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on product safety and fire risk in residential premises, where I asked the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility to take action, by considering a full-scale operation to tackle online sales of electrical products. … [Read more...]
Women released from prison
Yesterday afternoon I spoke in Chris Elmore MP's Westminster Hall Debate on women after their release from prison. I’ve spoken before on a number of occasions about the plight of women in the penal system and as Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, this issue is of grave concern to me. We really need to be considering how we can be more proactive and creative about stopping these women … [Read more...]
Energy in Wales Westminster Hall debate
Shortly before the conference recess, I spoke in Albert Owen MP's Westminster Hall debate on Energy in Wales. I called for the Government to proceed with the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon. … [Read more...]
Westminster Hall debate – State pension age for women
Click fullscreen for better viewing. … [Read more...]
WASPI/IWD Protest
On Wednesday 8th March more than 7,000 people descended on Westminster to protest the lack of solutions for 1950s women in the Spring Budget. My office organised for a bus to travel from Swansea to Westminster for the protest, supported by USDAW, Unison and Swansea Labour. We managed to see quite a few Welsh groups there, including Bridgend and Valleys, Wales and West, Pembrokeshire and … [Read more...]
State Pension: Working-class Women
Carolyn Harris (Swansea East) (Lab) I thank you, Mr Flello, for your excellent chairmanship—very stern, but firm. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central (Chi Onwurah) for securing this vital debate, which is so essential for securing a dignified retirement for some 2.5 million women. Her speech was factual, relevant and presented the arguments succinctly. I also … [Read more...]
