Creating safer communities

LF women's safety roundtable

I want everyone in West Berkshire to feel safe in their communities and, in Parliament, ensuring the safety of women and tackling violence of women has been at the heart of my work. I have:

  • Secured new laws on sexual violence in the Domestic Abuse Act;
  • Campaigned for tougher sentences for fatal domestic abuse;
  • Held regular roundtables with the Police, Council, transport operators and Newbury Town BID to ensure women feel safe in our community.

On top of this I have also:

  • Helped secure new custodial sentences for rural crime, and I have worked with the Police and landowners on hare coursing and other rural crimes;
  • Backed the Government's Online Safety Bill and called for tougher measures within it to ensure safety online.

In November 2023, Laura was appointed as the Minister for Victims and Safeguarding.

News

Laura's update to constituents

You can sign up to get Laura's updates direct to your inbox here! Welcome from Laura March was a month of intense activity in Parliament.

Laura's question to the Home Secretary on the Casey Review

Following publication of Baroness Casey's review into the Metropolitan Police, Laura asked the Home Secretary about whether those "imbued with the structures and the culture" of the Met should be responsible for delivering the "fundamental change" needed within the force. Commenting on the report,

Government backing for Laura's campaign on violence against women

Laura's campaign for tougher sentencing for violence against women has seen major success today as the Government has announced it would be backing it. Laura's been working on ensuring perpetrators of violent acts against women receive tougher sentences following her work to secure new protections

The Chancellor delivers his Budget for Growth

The Chancellor has delivered his Budget, setting out the Government's economic priorities and policies for the forthcoming year. In the Budget the Chancellor announced significant additional cost of living support, including: Extending the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) at £2,500 for three mo

Laura hosts second women's safety roundtable

Following her work last year on women's safety, Laura hosted a second roundtable to discuss town safety, domestic abuse, gateway offending and child protection. She met with: Zahid Aziz - Area Commander, Thames Valley Police. Matthew Barber - Police & Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valle