The prorogation of Parliament last week marked the end of another parliamentary session in which the Conservative Government took long-term decisions to deliver new laws for a brighter future.
During the last session, a total of 39 Bills were passed. Bills that received Royal Ascent, which is the last step required for a parliamentary bill to become law, included The Online Safety Act, which I worked hard on during my time as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. The new laws take a zero-tolerance approach to protecting children from online harm while empowering adults with more choices over what they see online. This follows rigorous scrutiny and extensive debate within both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Another Bill to receive Royal Ascent was The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. I have long pushed for legislation to help target law firms and other organisations that do not do enough to prevent fraud, false accounting, and money laundering. I secured cross-party support in Parliament to bring an amendment to the bill creating the offence, so it was welcome news when UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat MP agreed to new provisions, as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
The Rail Station Ticket Office Consultation, which was extended as a result of pressure by me and others, is now ending. I have been working hard to make sure that Swindon station remains truly friendly to all ages and customers, so the announcement by the Transport Secretary that the Government has asked train operators to withdraw their proposals is welcome news. Whilst digital means are very important, they cannot be the only way in which you get tickets and having trained members of staff with machines on hand in the station forecourt area seems to me to be a sensible way forward. But there is much more that needs to be done, and we need to hear more about the plans with regards to ticket offices, and indeed the whole way in which we get train tickets. And that is why I will be working closely on this issue in the coming weeks to make sure that any changes are made in the best interests of us, the passengers, and that the experience at Swindon Station does not become one that deters people from wanting to use our train services.
I have recently received a letter from Sue Harriman, Chief Executive Officer of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB), regarding potential changes being made to the Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) Service. Several GP practices here in South Swindon are signed up to POD and I have responded to the letter to raise concerns on behalf of local residents, GP Practices, and Staff at the Prescription Ordering Service. I am particularly concerned again about how these proposed changes will impact the most vulnerable patients, those typically without internet access or the ability to use online forms, either through choice or barriers. I have requested an urgent meeting with Sue Harriman, Chief Executive of BSW ICB, to further discuss these concerns on behalf of all of those here in Swindon who use the POD service. Again, whilst digital means are very important, they cannot be the only way in which you can order medication.
I was extremely concerned to hear last week that Wiltshire Police have commissioned an urgent review into how the force handled Clare’s Law disclosures. This follows an IOPCC referral regarding concerns linked to disclosures made by one member of staff. I have requested an urgent meeting with the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner, to further discuss the subsequent review which will now take place into all Clare’s Law applications made between April 2015 to August 2023. This review must be thorough and managed with the utmost care and consideration for all of those affected.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a fund to help fund public accessible defibrillators - applications are now open for the £1 million Defibrillator Community Automated External Defibrillators (AED) fund. This will provide 2,000 new public access defibrillators for communities across England. Any person, group, or organisation here in Swindon can apply by visiting https://www.defibgrant.co.uk/
Finally, my Charity of the Week is the British Heart Foundation who have recently launched RevirR – free 15-minute mobile training available to everyone, which shows you how to do CPR to save someone’s life. All you need to practice is a cushion. You can start your training here: https://revivr.bhf.org.uk/ To find out more about this brilliant charity and how you can support them, including shopping at one of the British Heart Foundation shops in the town centre, please visit www.bhf.org.uk
