Letter from Parliament - Tony Lloyd MP

Tony Lloyd MP

This week was quite a quiet one, but I did raise four important topics in parliament.

One of the missing links in tackling violence against women and girls has most certainly been caused by a failure to deal with perpetrators.

I asked the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, how precisely we can use research on what makes a difference to ensure we empower our police forces and other agencies to work with the perpetrators in an effective way. We have got to have a more coherent strategy, and so a domestic abuse and violence bill will be going to consultation.

The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is a human outrage on a regular basis, and the tension between Pakistan and India is threatening world peace.

I asked if the Foreign Secretary will use the opportunity of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting to bring our good friends Pakistan and India together and move a peace process forward as a mediator.

There has been a big row recently over the release of John Worbys, a serial sex attacker also know as the ‘black cab rapist’. He was jailed in 2009 for attacks on 12 women, although it is believed he carried out more.

His victims were not told of his release, and I have asked for there to be a review into the whole process of the way victims of these awful crimes are treated.

We must get the victim’s journey right when it comes to such harrowing crimes.

I also spoke of a housing debate regarding the town of Leamington Spa in the West Midlands, where the council have tried to get the maximum value for their land, resulting in expensive homes for the well off. This means nothing like the affordable homes which are needed are being built, even though this is breaking their own policy of providing 40%.

I therefore asked the minister to look at enforcing their local plans.

I also met with representatives of Leonard Cheshire Home, Leonard Cheshire was a war hero who set up a series of residential places for war veterans which now provide aid for disabled people up and down the breadth of the country. They told me of great plans of providing homes with tailored access for those who are in wheelchairs or who have another disability.

I met with the National Barge Travellers who live on barges. As Shadow Housing Minister, my role involves making sure their needs are not forgotten.

I also had a meeting regarding ageing and the elderly. Britain has an ageing population and we must plan better, from social services to housing for disabilities.

This weekend I will be at a housing conference with the Fabian Society, an organisation who understand the need to built suitable homes as part of the wider community.