Laura has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice, with a focus on safeguarding, child protection and tackling violence against women and girls.
Speaking about her appointment, Laura said:
"I am honoured to be supporting the Government's urgent work in this area as a Minister. Since I was first elected I have fought for new laws and tougher sentences to better protect women in legislation like the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Along the way I have met some incredible campaigners including organisations close to home, like AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) that arose from a tragic case in this constituency.
My brief involves building on the Government’s important work tackling grooming gangs and modern slavery and, most importantly, driving up prosecution rates for rape and domestic abuse. There has been so much progress since I was first elected but there is further we can go, and had I not become a Minister I would have been lobbying hard to make it happen.
I am looking forward to working with the brilliant Ministers and Civil Servants at the Ministry of Justice and Home Office and also reflecting the voices of valued local organisations I have worked with such as Berkshire Women’s Aid and FLAG DV - a free domestic abuse advisory service, in Government.
Of course, my focus will remain on Newbury and my work will continue on many issues such as water quality, fuel prices, a new level crossing at Thatcham and protecting our racing industry to name but a few."