Justice Committee, Grenfell and Some Inspiring Local Organisations
Report back from Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick
Andy Slaughter MP with Key4Life mentors
March 10, 2025
The Justice Committee has been busy since we have been back from recess with two evidence sessions in the last couple of weeks. In the first one we heard from Charlie Taylor, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons, Dame Carol Black, Independent Advisor to the Government on Drugs and Elisabeth Davies, National Chair of Independent Monitoring Boards about how we can tackle drugs in prisons. In the second, we heard from Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice Dame Antonia Romeo and other senior officials about the work of the department. This was useful as the Ministry of Justice is facing many challenges at the moment across the courts, prisons and probation. You can watch any of the public evidence sessions of the Committee on Parliament Live.
The Deputy Prime Minister recently made a statement on Grenfell and there were many great contributions from Members in the chamber. I asked about a national oversight mechanism that would collate and then follow-up on all recommendations from inquiries and inquests and ensure they are implemented. I was pleased that the Deputy Prime Minister agreed to consider this going forward. As always you can find all of my contributions in Parliament here.
I was grateful to be welcomed to The Gate Art Centre for a visit the Friday before last. The Gate is an arts and resource centre for people with learning disabilities based in Shepherd's Bush. It was brilliant to see all the amazing work that The Gate does, I was very impressed by the artwork and was asked some interesting questions. You can find out more about The Gate here.
I also visited Key4Life last week, which is a programme that takes ex-offenders into work with some of the UK's top companies and provides the confidence and support to turn their lives around. On my visit, I met with mentors and the founder, Eva Hamilton. The visit was truly inspiring and incredibly helpful with the work the Justice Select Committee is doing on rehabilitation.
Spring has now arrived so here is a reminder that you can celebrate with the Addison Singers performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah at their annual Spring Concert on the 29 th of March. Further details can be found on their website.
Best,
Andy
andy@andyslaughter.com
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