Humanist Weddings
Debate between Baroness Levitt and Baroness Burt of Solihull(1 day, 11 hours ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Burt of Solihull (LD)
My Lords, what advice do the Government have for humanist couples who are waiting to be wed and have heard that there is going to be a fourth consultation, as well as the introduction of complex and potentially controversial marriage law ahead of this much-needed change? What assurance can they offer to couples that humanists will soon have the choice of getting married in line with their beliefs, the same as their religious counterparts?
Baroness Levitt (Lab)
The assurance is that we have made the commitment and it is going to happen.
Domestic Abuse: Emergency Accommodation
Debate between Baroness Levitt and Baroness Burt of Solihull(3 months, 2 weeks ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Levitt (Lab)
As the noble Baroness knows, I broadly agree with pretty much everything she says. That is why the Government are working on the three strands of dealing with domestic abuse: the first is prevention, the second is robust enforcement against those who perpetrate it, and the third is support for victims.
Baroness Burt of Solihull (LD)
My Lords, victims of domestic abuse can fail to qualify to bid for a permanent home because of debt issues often not of their own making. Families and children across the country can be trapped in temporary accommodation because of debt accumulated by the abuser. Should there not be a national rule whereby coerced debt should be excused to help abused families out of the debt trap and into a permanent home?
Baroness Levitt (Lab)
The noble Baroness makes a really important point. On Monday I addressed a reception held in one of the rooms in this Palace hosted by the charity Surviving Economic Abuse. Listening to what was said there reminded me—I hope I did not need reminding, but it made it starkly clear—that for the survivors, economic abuse is every bit as pernicious and damaging as actual violence, or controlling or coercive behaviour. We are acutely aware of this and are doing everything we can to ensure that it is recognised and dealt with.