Speeches by Phillipson.

“My understanding is that that is the case, but I can make sure the Home Office provides you with a more comprehensive update on that. The Home Office also wants to ensure that there is a more consistent approach overall to data gathering, because there is variation between different police forces.”

“As I was talking about earlier, we have the measures in place for how we will seek to track progress over the decade, but you are right that alongside that we have commitments to creating and making sure the full legislative framework is available for prosecution of emerging offences—what you just described, for exampl…”

“For 2024-25, the EHRC received a slightly increased baseline budget delegation of £17.5 million, which was up from £17.1 million. During the previous financial year, the Cabinet Office provided up to £0.8 million of additional funding to accommodate in-year pressures. The support has been put in place but, as an indepe…”

“The recruitment process for the chair is well under way; that advert closed in January. We want to move as rapidly as we can to make sure that the new chair is put in place. To the question on the wider complement, of course, we are within quoracy, so the EHRC can continue to operate, but I recognise that it is importa…”

“Our first priority is to appoint the new chair, and the recruitment campaign for that began in November last year. The advert closed on 8 January. A recruitment campaign for additional commissioners will begin after the chair is identified, including for a Wales and Scotland commissioner. In the meanwhile, we have exte…”

“I am not aware that I have, but I am happy to check and come back on that point. Just to re-emphasise the point that Anneliese was making around the approach that the Government take in these areas, when it comes to single-sex exemptions, we want providers to have absolute clarity on what is covered by the law. Before …”

“I understand the argument, and there is a need to reform the system overall. We will reform the system through the course of this Parliament. There are elements of the offer that are available to disadvantaged families, in the parlance, but I appreciate that there are cliff edges within the system. That is something th…”

“It is essential that everyone in our society is able to live free of abuse and free of such unacceptable targeting, including online. Sadly, in the world in which we live, we know this happens far too often to too many people. I would always encourage anyone who is targeted online or receives abuse of any form in perso…”

“Home Office colleagues believe the best measure of VAWG is prevalence, as reported through the crime survey for England and Wales, but we are working with the ONS across Government on producing headline measures overall, so a suite of metrics where we can work towards the halving of violence against women and girls in …”

“What is central to the work across Government on poverty overall is that we want people to have more money in their pockets to make the choices that are right for them. It is a scandal that so many of our fellow citizens do not have enough money to provide for the basics, whether that is food for their children or peri…”

“We continue to keep these matters under review. We are looking carefully at the Law Commission’s report into marriage published in 2022 and we will respond in due course.”

“We remain steadfast in our support for all LGBT people. It is essential that they are safe, included and protected from discrimination.”

“I agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of the issue she identifies. I will ensure that the relevant Minister picks up on the point and ensures that electoral administrators are aware of their responsibilities.”

“The hon. Lady raises an important issue. We need to ensure there is diversity in representation at all levels in sport. I am happy to look further into the issues she has raised.”

“I agree with my hon. Friend that it is disgraceful that the attainment gap rose under the last Government, and I will not rest until we deliver for kids from communities like ours. I agree that it is not good enough that only one in five disadvantaged white British boys achieve grade 5 or above in maths and English at …”

“I agree with my hon. Friend that no young person should be held back by their background or expected to work for free. We remain committed to banning unpaid internships, so that young people are paid fairly. We will set out further details in due course.”

“The previous Government’s scope was narrow. We are taking action to give all providers the assurances that they need that single-sex spaces can be provided. I have met representatives from the EHRC to discuss that point and I have written to the EHRC about it. I will take no lectures from the Conservatives on single-se…”

“I join my hon. Friend in commending that work. I know the Tyne Valley line very well; it is in a beautiful part of the country. It is important that the rail network is accessible for all passengers, and that is at the heart of our approach. I will ensure Ministers at the Department for Transport look into the case tha…”

“This month we celebrate LGBT History Month. LGBT individuals have shaped Britain’s history and continue to contribute greatly to our society. We are also celebrating Race Equality Week. We are committed to raising everyone’s living standards by putting more money into people’s pockets through measures such as ethnicity…”

“My hon. Friend mentions a vital area. There is an important role for youth services as part of this, but we also need to do much more around safeguarding. The provisions in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill on multi-agency child protection measures and much more besides, and the additional investment that we ar…”