Moves a new clause allowing victims or those who reasonably believe they are victims to make allegations and disclosures relating to criminal conduct without any agreement preventing them from doing so. The Secretary of State may specify conditions for such agreements through regulations.

Facilitates the debate by discussing the clauses brought up by Alex Davies-Jones, including widening eligibility for compensation in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and introducing a duty on courts to notify local authorities about offenders with children.

Discusses new clause 14 regarding restrictions on parental responsibility for children conceived as a result of rape, emphasising the importance of protecting victims' rights while maintaining legal clarity and consistency.

In proposing these new clauses, Mr. Lammy emphasised the need for comprehensive support services for caregivers of victims of abuse and exploitation, ensuring that their rights under the Victims Code are secured.

Ms. Phillips supported the new clauses, highlighting the importance of restorative justice services and the need for victims to have a right of veto over licence conditions relating to offenders' release from prison.

Pays tribute to the Member for Bolsover (Natalie Fleet), highlighting her bravery in championing new clause related to restricting parental responsibility for rapists.

The Bill addresses misuse of NDAs by voiding them if they prevent victims from speaking about criminal conduct. It includes protection for disclosures and builds on the Employment Rights Bill to ensure NDAs cannot be misused to silence victims or obstruct justice.

Ms Rimmer highlighted the case of Violet-Grace, a victim of a fatal car accident. The family's attempt to read out their full impact statement was limited by court rules, leading to retraumatisation and silencing. She thanked the Government for addressing this issue.

Welcomed the intention of the Bill to ensure victims' needs are at the heart of justice, but noted concerns about court backlogs and prison overcrowding. Supported measures compelling offenders to attend sentencing hearings and restricting parental responsibility in cases of rape or sexual assault against a child. Proposed amendments for extending victim contact scheme and providing free court transcripts.

Highlighted the impact of court delays on domestic abuse survivors, calling for concrete measures to improve capacity beyond increased sitting days.

The inclusion of that in the guidance was positive, but it does not address the fact that some prisoners deliberately avoid revealing that they have children at home. Children Heard and Seen reports that some parents are scared of their children being taken away by social services, so much so that they do not tell anyone about their children.

Each year hundreds of families get a knock on the door from the police who must deliver the worst news that a family can ever hear: the news that one of their closest relatives has been murdered. However, about 80 families each year receive the news that a family member has been murdered while abroad. That can be via a police officer, but the news often comes from a newspaper, or from a journalist who has found out and has reached out to the family directly.

Discussed new clause 12 to address support for families of British citizens murdered abroad. The amendment aims to add an appendix to the victims code providing guidance on how to access support, including liaison officers and translation services. It does not interfere with foreign judicial systems but establishes a baseline statutory framework ensuring bereaved families have the same quality of support as any other victim of homicide. The speaker emphasises that this is not special treatment but a duty of compassion.

Supported Government new clause 14, which means rapists will no longer have access to children conceived by their crime. She highlighted that ten babies are born every day in the UK as a result of rape and advocated for the automatic removal of parental responsibility where there is a conviction of rape. Fleet emphasised the importance of believing victims even without conviction, protecting them and their children from further trauma.

Introduced new clauses 15 and 16 concerning restorative justice. He stated that these clauses would create a statutory right to referral to restorative justice services, ensuring every victim is informed and supported in deciding whether to participate. He argued for the importance of giving victims closure rather than focusing solely on retributive justice.

Responded to Mr Kohler, agreeing that restorative justice is not right for every victim but crucial for many. He shared a personal experience of how restorative justice transformed his family's life after a violent attack.

I am going to speak to a measure at the heart of the Bill today. Attendance at sentencing hearings will compel convicted criminals to attend those hearings and provide the strongest of consequences when they refuse. This law is for Olivia Pratt-Korbel and other victims. In August 2024, two of the most remarkable women I have ever met walked into my first MP surgery. They were my constituents Cheryl Korbel and Antonia Elverson who are with us in the Gallery today. On 22 August 2022, Olivia, a little girl—just nine years old—was murdered by a stranger in her own home. The murderer, Thomas Cashman, fired a bullet through the door of Olivia’s home, which passed through the wrist of her mum, Cheryl, before hitting Olivia in the chest and ending her life. Under our current justice system, the ball is in the criminal’s court—criminals can choose to opt out of attending their sentencing, which is exactly what Olivia’s murderer did. Cashman chose to remain in his cell, refusing to face the court to hear Cheryl’s words or look her in the eye. This injustice has gone on for far too long, and that stops now.

What a privilege it is to follow those powerful speeches from the hon. Members for Knowsley and for Bolsover. They are clearly two very formidable parliamentarians, and it is a privilege to be in the same debate as them. I stand today to speak on behalf of my constituent Bethan and her parents who are in the Gallery today. When Bethan learned that her ex-husband had been convicted of some of the most serious child sex offences imaginable, she also learned that he retained access to her child. In the previous Parliament, when Baroness Harman pushed for a new clause on this matter in the Criminal Justice Bill, I watched with my constituents from up in the Gallery. Sadly, that Bill did not make it through the parliamentary wash-up, so the work was not completed at that time. Bethan’s family had to spend £30,000 of their own money to get their case through the family courts. They have gone on this journey so that more victims—parents and mothers—can take advantage of this legislation and be protected even if they do not have that resource.

I really welcome this Bill, which delivers long-overdue reforms to protect victims and goes a long way to rebuilding confidence in our judicial system. I particularly thank my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover and for Knowsley for their powerful contributions to the debate. New clause 12 would address that anomaly by creating an appendix to the victims code that sets out how it applies to close relatives of British nationals resident in England and Wales who are the victims of murder, manslaughter or infanticide committed abroad. The lack of any statutory support for the families of British nationals murdered abroad is a glaring gap in our legal system. Families who find themselves in this deeply distressing circumstance must deal not only with their immense grief but with difficult practical issues, such as navigating a foreign legal system—often with language barriers—and unfamiliar police forces and judiciaries. At the very minimum, they deserve the same recognition and support under the law as those whose tragedies occur within the UK.

Congratulated the Minister on bringing forward important changes and supported new clause 12 for making technical changes to make measures more effective. Emphasised that public protection should be the primary purpose of custodial sentences. Highlighted a case involving her constituent Tina Nash who was brutally attacked by her former partner in 2011, leading to severe injuries including blindness. Criticised the decision to move the attacker to a less secure prison without consulting Tina, causing fear and distress for the victim. Proposed new clause 17 to give victims a right to veto under reasonable circumstances and criticised inadequate support from the Parole Board and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.

Welcomed provisions in the Bill that expand the victim contact scheme, providing vital reassurances to victims. Supported Government new clause 14 which would suspend parental access for parents who commit crimes against children. Highlighted the importance of ordering offenders to attend their sentences and face the full weight of their crimes. Emphasised the need for reform of victim personal statements and called for clarity in terminology related to life sentences. Raised concerns about the time limit for victims’ families to appeal unduly lenient sentences and urged the Government to go further to deliver real justice.

Supports new clauses 10 and 11, which aim to provide statutory duties for commissioning of specialist support services. Emphasises the need to address financial pressures on these services, citing a £47 billion cost annually due to domestic abuse alone.

Supports Jess Asato's call for multi-year settlements and enhanced commissioning arrangements in the east of England for community-based services supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, such as Next Chapter and CARA.

Agrees with Jess Asato's proposal to extend support to kinship carers who often take on family members affected by trauma and abuse. Stresses the importance of providing unique support for these third-party victims.

Supports new clause 1, which aims to remove unfair barriers set by CICA and widen eligibility of compensation schemes for online-facilitated child sexual abuse. She highlights the need for a universal scheme without hierarchy.

Fenton-Glynn supported new clauses 10 and 11, advocating for a statutory duty on authorities to guarantee support for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and child exploitation. He highlighted the Government’s efforts in reducing violence against women and girls and emphasised the need for wraparound support services.

Tidball spoke to new clause 14, which restricts parental responsibility for children conceived as a result of rape. She emphasised the importance of protecting survivors from retraumatisation by denying rapists access to their children and highlighted the lack of response by previous governments on domestic abuse cases.

Supports new clauses 13 and 14, emphasising their importance in protecting victims of serious violence and ensuring child safety. Highlights a constituent's case regarding non-disclosure agreements and parental responsibility restrictions for rape victims.

Speaks in support of new clause 4 and other amendments, praising the strengthened powers for the Victims' Commissioner and the measures to streamline and expand the victim contact scheme. Welcomes changes made by the Government on parental responsibility but expresses concern about time limits for unduly lenient sentence schemes.

Agrees that there are certain things victims should be able to say but also acknowledges the need for strict guidance. Proposes working with other Members to support victims and families, ensuring they can have their say in sentencing hearings.

Critiques the Government's position on amendments as being too broad and narrow respectively. Suggests that Labour Members cannot vote for it due to Whips instructions, questioning sincerity of debate.

Supports new clause 4 and victim impact statements, arguing that legislation is needed to change fundamental aspects of the definition of a victim personal statement. Proposes non-exhaustive lists in guidance.

Supports measures proposed but questions the sincerity of the Government's willingness to deliver on their promises. Advocates for constituents' support and encourages MPs to back amendments.

Welcomes the move to restrict abusers access to children but highlights the issue of cultural pressure in small religious groups, suggesting the Government needs to address this problem.

Welcomed the Bill but expressed concerns about resource allocation for a helpline and the eligibility criteria for extending victim contact scheme.

Discussed the right to know in relation to the victim contact scheme and mentioned his constituent Tina Nash, advocating for her support through the victims code and the Minister's engagement.

Requested that Rita Roberts' case be remembered during the work being done to enhance victim support services and advocated for justice for those murdered abroad.

Congratulates Alex Davies-Jones on piloting the Bill through the House. Emphasises the need to bring down the Crown court backlog for speedy justice, citing record investment and reforms from Sir Brian Leveson's review.

Speaks on Third Reading of the Victims and Courts Bill. Acknowledges improvements but expresses disappointment over rejected amendments regarding unduly lenient sentences and victim personal statements, arguing these would improve justice for victims. Criticises government's simultaneous measures allowing earlier release of violent offenders.