"My Lords, these amendments relate to private prosecutions. I start by expressing my thanks to all noble Lords for their thoughtful contributions to the Bill throughout its passage.
I thank the Opposition Front-Bench team, in particular the noble Lord, Lord Sandhurst, and the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen, for …..." Baroness Levitt - View Speech
"My Lords, it has been a pleasure to bring the Victims and Courts Bill through this House; it is now another step closer to becoming law. The Bill will deliver on our manifesto commitment to support and protect victims, restore confidence in our justice system and implement swifter and fairer …..." Baroness Levitt - View Speech
"That this House do not insist on its Amendments 4B and 4C, and do agree with the Commons in their Amendment 4D in lieu...." Baroness Levitt - View Speech
"My Lords, the Government believe that families who have suffered the unimaginable loss of a child should not have to worry about the cost of a funeral. The children’s funeral fund is not means-tested; it is available where the death of a child takes place in England, regardless of nationality, …..." Baroness Levitt - View Speech
"We absolutely recognise the concerns, and I am grateful to the noble Lord for raising the matter. Local authorities’ independence from central government means that they are responsible for managing their resources in line with local priorities, which they are best placed to evaluate. That said, the Law Commission has …..." Baroness Levitt - View Speech
"Measures have been taken in recent years to update crematoria so that they better reflect and understand the needs of different cultures and faiths. To a certain extent, I must repeat my earlier Answer to the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed, that it is for local authorities to deal with this, …..." Baroness Levitt - View Speech
"I am very sorry to hear of the experience of the noble Baroness. That story draws attention to exactly why the Law Commission looked at this area in the first place. Our laws concerning how burial is governed are a patchwork; they are often inconsistent with each other, they are …..." Baroness Levitt - View Speech
"As with all matters relating to what happens at the end of life, these are sensitive, difficult and complicated matters. The Law Commission identifies that there can be many reasons why ashes remain uncollected, including people who simply cannot face going to pick them up. However, that does not solve …..." Baroness Levitt - View Speech
"The Law Commission report, which we welcome, was published on 18 March this year and is the first part of a wider project that will also consider the legal framework for new funerary methods and the rights and obligations in relation to funerals and the deceased. That last sub-project is …..." Baroness Levitt - View Speech
"I am grateful for the opportunity to reiterate the Government’s commitment to and respect for the beliefs of all our faith communities, many of whom have very strongly held views about what is appropriate at the end of life, both how it happens and the timing of it. The answer …..." Baroness Levitt - View Speech