Supporting Siblings of the Disabled and MPs Visiting Israel
Report back from Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick
Andy Slaughter MP
April 21, 2025
The last couple of days before Easter recess began were busy in Parliament. On Monday 7th of March, Ben Coleman MP and Ed Davey MP held a fantastic event on behalf of Sibs - a charity supporting the siblings of disabled people. There were some very moving and inspirational speeches, and I was very pleased to attend.
That day, there was a statement in the House after two of my fellow MPs were recently detained and refused entry to Israel upon their arrival. Many members came to the House to show their support for both MPs. It is important that Members of Parliament can visit Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories with impunity, the importance of this is particularly clear while we see aid workers, medics, journalists and civilians being killed in large numbers. I asked the Minister how we can ensure this doesn’t happen again.
The Justice Committee managed to hold two sessions in the two days before recess started. The first was a roundtable with lawyers and those who use the county courts to hear about their experiences. The second was an evidence session with Ministers and civil servants to discuss the work of the county court. This is all part of the Justice Committee’s enquiry into the problems within the civil justice system. It is very important to hear many perspectives of those involved with the work of the court so that we can understand a full picture of the current situation.
On other justice related matters, I was interviewed by Channel 4 on pregnant women and seriously ill prisoners who are restrained while giving birth or undergoing treatment. The reports are very concerning, and the Committee will want to find out how widespread this had become. The interview can be watched here.
After recess began on the 8th of April, Parliament was unusually recalled on Saturday the 12th. Along with my colleagues, I returned to the House to ensure the passing of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill. The Bill provides the Government with the power to direct steel companies in England, and it was necessary to protect British Steel's Scunthorpe plant from imminent closure.
The Commons is now back in Easter recess and will return on Tuesday 22nd of April.
Best,
Andy
andy@andyslaughter.com
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