Visits to Chalet School, Liden Academy & Lawn Primary School
I was delighted to be back post Covid to visit three brilliant schools here in South Swindon in February. Firstly, I was back at the Chalet School, which specialises in support for children with special needs, particularly Autism, and has been doing an incredible job for our community for many years now. It was wonderful to see Headteacher Helena, and her excellent team, and to learn more about the challenges they are currently facing, as well as to see all of the children and visit the new classroom on the forest side of the school. As a parent of an former Chalet pupil, it was great to be back once again.
I then went on to visit Liden Primary School, right next door, which is now part of a Multi Academy Trust, just like Chalet. Liden Primary is working really hard on standards in reading and numeracy and is making great strides. I was pleased to speak to the school council during my visit and to join some of the classes and see the excellent progress being made.
Following this, I was delighted to be back at Lawn Primary School. It was really great to see such a busy and popular school here in south Swindon, dealing brilliantly with the aftermath of Covid, and educating and supporting children from the age of two, right through to Key Stage 2. I got a sense of a really strong community at Lawn Primary, ably led by the Headteacher, and it was a huge pleasure to see everyone and to get a sense of the challenges facing teachers and support staff as we come out of that Covid era.
Thanks to all of the teachers and the support staff for their incredible work at all of these schools, as they work to make sure that our children here in Swindon are equipped for the skills of tomorrow.
Florco Trade Centre Visit
You may have already read in my previous newsletters about my Local Business Support Campaign here in Swindon. As part of my ongoing support work, I was very pleased to recently visit the new Florco Trade Centre and thank the team for opening their business on the Rushy Platt Industrial Estate here in the town, which will support local tradespeople.
Florco, the trade-only flooring specialist, has been operating for over 40 years and it is great to see the business expand and chose Swindon as the destination to open their brand-new trade counter. I am delighted to see that Florco is supporting local independent businesses and contractors.
I am urging the Government to publish and respond to the Domestic Homicide Review that I commissioned as Justice Secretary in 2021
I made the call after attending a reception in Westminster, hosted by Diana Parkes, Mother of Joanna Simpson, who was brutally attacked by her husband, Robert Brown, at their family home and bludgeoned to death by a claw hammer in October 2010.
Following the attack, which took place inside their home in Ascot Berkshire, as the couple’s children listened, Brown, a former British Airways Pilot, went on to burry Joanna’s body in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park.
Brown admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and was jailed in May 2011 for 26 years. He is due to be released in November having served half his sentence.
I have a arranged meetings with Ministers, and I am pressing for Brown’s release to no longer be automatic and for the Government to use new powers which I brought in as Justice Secretary.
Delivering The Windsor Framework
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed the Windsor Framework, which delivers the smooth flow of trade within the UK, protects Northern Ireland's place in the Union, and safeguards the sovereignty of the people of Northern Ireland.
I am pleased to be able to make a direct contribution to the political life of Northern Ireland by serving as a member of the Commons Select Committee on Northern Ireland Affairs. Having read the agreement, it has shown that we have managed to succeed in getting the EU to make far more concessions than I expected, by changing the text of the protocol, and ensuring that the Good Friday Belfast Agreement lies at the heart of the agreement, in order to protect the future of Northern Ireland, both in terms of the border north and south, and the border East and West. The creation of a democratic "brake" on new regulations, to be exercised by Northern Irish politicians at Stormont, was a major achievement, and the result of steadfast and detailed negotiations between our Prime Minister and the EU, which will also enhance Britain’s reputation on the world stage.
The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022
I am pleased that the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 came into force on Monday. I worked closely with Sajid Javid and Pauline Latham MP on this vital safeguarding measure, by securing Government support for this change when I was Lord Chancellor, which will better protect from the damaging impact of forced marriage.
It means that 16- and 17-year-olds will no longer be allowed to marry or enter a civil partnership, even if they have parental consent.
It is now illegal and a criminal offence to exploit vulnerable children by arranging for them to marry, under any circumstances whether or not force is used.
The change will crack down on forced marriages which can cause lasting damage to a child and forms part of the government’s continued commitment to tackle violence against women and girls.
Those found guilty of arranging child marriages face sentences of up to 7 years in prison.
The age of eighteen is widely recognised as the age at which one becomes an adult and gains full citizenship rights and I welcome this change.
If you have a national or local issue you would like to raise with me, please get in touch by emailing me on robert.buckland.mp@parliament,uk or by ringing 01793 533393.
Copyright ©The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE KC MP 2022 All rights reserved.
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