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Health and Care Bill - Clause 5
04 December 2023
Lead MP
Edward Argar
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
Taxation
Other Contributors: 34
At a Glance
Edward Argar raised concerns about health and care bill - clause 5 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. The specific content or context of Clause 5 is not detailed here; however, Edward Argar, as the Conservative MP for Melton and Syston, has called for the debate on this particular clause of the Health and Care Bill.
Edward Argar
Con
Melton and Syston
The specific content or context of Clause 5 is not detailed here; however, Edward Argar has called for the debate on this particular clause of the Health and Care Bill.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
He emphasised the importance of ensuring that more victims get the support they need through this Bill, expressing concern over the weight of amendments and the number of people being missed out. He questioned whether the Government should be more ambitious in addressing these issues.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
She raised concerns about the definition of child criminal exploitation and its inclusion within the Criminal Justice Bill. She sought clarity from the Minister on whether this area could be covered.
Elliot Colburn
Not specified party affiliation
As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on restorative justice, he requested further detail on non-legislative measures to improve access to restorative justice services for victims. He acknowledged that the Minister was not keen on using this Bill as a vehicle for legislative changes but sought assurances for non-legislative improvements.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
She inquired whether the Minister would consider recommendations from the Bluestar Project regarding pre-trial therapy accessibility and ensuring the Victims' Code is up to date.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
He asked if Members of Parliament could refer prisoners for reconsideration of their release decisions, similar to how appeal boards may do so. He was interested in the mechanism for ensuring victims and MPs have a voice in such matters.
Maria Eagle
Lab
Liverpool Garston
Supports new clause 14, arguing it is better than the Government’s provision in the Criminal Justice Bill. Suggests it would be a vital part of implementing a full Hillsborough law.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Questions why the Government delays compensation payments for victims until after the final report, using the Post Office Horizon scandal as a comparison where payments were made ahead of the final report.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Responded sarcastically to previous interventions without offering supportive arguments for or against the amendment.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow South West
Supporting new clause 27, which addresses compensation for the victims of contaminated blood scandal. The Government's lack of details and timeline on this issue is unacceptable given that four victims continue to die every four days. It is time for immediate action from the Government to establish a compensation scheme.
Maria Miller
Con
Basingstoke
Supports amendments recognising victims silenced by NDAs and proposing judicial oversight for counselling records release. Cites US, Canada, and Ireland laws against NDA misuse and highlights the need for legal protection in universities extended to everyone.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
Proposes new clause 27 and amendments 142-144 addressing compensation for infected blood scandal victims, extending interim payments to bereaved families, establishing psychological services in England, and ensuring the Bill applies to those affected. Argues against delays and emphasises cross-party support.
Rehman Chishti
Con
Gillingham East
Supports Diana R. Johnson's new clause 27, advocating for parity in treatment of victims and urging against further delays in compensation delivery.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Welcomes new clause 37 'Jade’s law' and other measures to support victims. Highlights need for more comprehensive protection, including automatic suspension of parental responsibility after murder conviction as proposed by amendment 14.
Mark Tami
Lab
Alyn and Deeside
Supports new clause 37 'Jade’s law' to automatically suspend parental responsibility after murder conviction, shifting the burden of proof on victims. Urges the Government to consider retrospective application for convicted murderers like Russell Marsh.
Rachel Maclean
Con
Redditch
Welcomes the Bill's provisions on victim protection, especially those concerning disclosure of third-party materials to prevent infringement on victims' privacy and therapy sessions. Emphasises the importance of supporting victims through their journey in the criminal justice system to encourage reporting of crimes without fear of further trauma or burden.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Proposes new clause 10 for a sewage illness compensation scheme, citing the need to address water pollution issues that affect public health and local economies. Argues that victims of waterborne illnesses caused by sewage spills should receive compensation from water companies whose profit motives have led to negligence.
Richard Fuller
Con
North Bedfordshire
He emphasises the importance of new clause 41, which proposes a national scheme for independent legal advice and representation for victims of rape and sexual assault. This builds on successful trials in Northumbria and aims to provide greater confidence and consistency during evidence-gathering processes.
Maria Eagle
Lab
Liverpool Garston
Mrs. Maria Eagle supports several amendments including Government new clauses 22, 23, 24 and amendments 60, 76 to 82, as well as Opposition new clause 14 on the Hillsborough law duty of candour. She welcomes improvements but calls for more agency for families affected by public disasters through collective ability to get an independent public advocate to act.
Emma Lewell-Buck
Lab
South Shields
Ms. Emma Lewell-Buck presents new clause 43, aimed at allowing bereaved parents to register their children's deaths following public inquiries or inquests. She highlights the emotional impact on families and argues against the Government’s reluctance to change outdated legislation.
Jess Phillips
Lab
Birmingham Yardley
Phillips supports changes to domestic homicide reviews and amendments related to child abuse, particularly 'Jade’s law'. She argues that family courts often collude with perpetrators of violence and abuse. Additionally, she criticises the Government's delay in addressing non-disclosure agreements for sexual harassment cases and highlights gaps in support for adult victims of sexual exploitation.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Champion supports amendments to ensure comprehensive victim recognition, including those affected by child criminal exploitation, adult sexual exploitation, and elder abuse. She also advocates for stalking victims through the introduction of stalking advocates and highlights issues related to migrant victims and data sharing with immigration enforcement.
Jessica Morden
Lab
Newport East
Morden supports new clause 27, which aims to establish a compensation body for victims of the contaminated blood scandal. She emphasises the urgency and moral case for immediate compensation given the high mortality rate among affected individuals.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Commends Stella Creasy for her bravery in using a personal case to highlight the need for new clause 32. Supports the cross-party effort and highlights the importance of protecting victims from malicious reports.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Expresses support for new clauses 10 and 27, focusing on addressing the infected blood scandal. Proposes new clauses 28 and 29 to facilitate migrant women's complaints about domestic abuse without fear of repercussions and mandates training in police forces regarding violence against women.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Supports amendments 4, 17, and 18 and new clause 6 for the inclusion of stalking advocates to ensure timely intervention in stalking cases. Cites the murder case of Gracie Spinks to highlight the need for consistent training and funding for stalking advocates.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Supports new clause 30 by Sarah Champion to prevent data sharing between public services and Home Office for immigration control, without victim consent. Proposes new clause 35 demanding a review into the experience of victims in criminal justice system. Calls for urgent changes to housing, health, and social security systems due to cost-of-living crisis impact on domestic abuse survivors.
Speaks in favour of new clause 33 which would give the Victims' Commissioner enforcement powers similar to those of the Welsh Language Commissioner. Argues that this will drive necessary changes in the criminal justice system and strengthen victims' rights.
Hayes and Harlington
Supports new clauses 1, 2, and 3 aimed at addressing the injustice faced by IPP prisoners. Highlights cases of individuals serving disproportionately long sentences for minor offences and calls for re-sentencing to provide hope and prevent further suicides among these prisoners.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
I support amendments 145 and 146, which would ensure that children can access pre-trial therapy within a month of requesting these services. This is crucial for their recovery and justice, as current wait times are extensive and inconsistent. Training is needed to expedite services judiciously while ensuring confidentiality and robust inquiry. There must be clarity on limitations of information provided to court.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
I commend the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst on his amendment, supporting the justice system's focus on protecting victims from potential risks posed by criminals. I also support new clause 27, urging the Government to make payments to victims of the infected blood scandal before the final report is published, similar to actions taken for Post Office Horizon victims. There are urgent needs for compensation and answers, with one person affected by this scandal dying every four days.
Sarah Dyke
Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
She argued for new clause 29, advocating proper funding and training of officers responding to violence against women and girls cases. She also supported new clause 10 which would hold negligent water firms accountable for poor behaviour impacting our rivers' health and provide compensation to those suffering illness due to criminal conduct related to sewage.
Edward Argar
Con
Melton and Syston
He stated that the Government is committed to improving water quality with record fines, new powers, and a £60 billion investment programme. He mentioned existing routes for individuals impacted by water quality or suffering harm to seek compensation through criminal or civil proceedings.
Shabana Mahmood
Lab
Birmingham Ladywood
The Labour MP acknowledges the work done by her predecessor and colleagues, expresses gratitude to House staff and external organisations for their engagement on the Bill. While supporting the passage of the Bill, she notes that it does not go far enough and expresses hope for further progress in the other place.
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