Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vikki Slade and Alex Davies-Jones

Tuesday 10th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Vikki Slade (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)]

Last week the Justice Committee heard harrowing testimony about the tragic deaths of 14-year-old Ruth Szymankiewicz, 15-year-old Gabriel Santer and 23-year-old Matthew Caseby from their parents. These are all utterly tragic cases, but only one of them led to a prevention of future deaths case, and even then there is no enforcement of them. Will the Minister commit to reviewing the situation so that when the words “lessons learned” are said, families actually believe them?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones)]

I welcome this question and the important point raised by the hon. Lady. I welcome the work that the Justice Committee is doing in this space to look at the prevention of future deaths reports to see what more we can do to ensure they are enforceable, responded to and acted upon. The Government are determined to ensure accountability at all levels on prevention of future deaths reports, and I look forward to laying out my position to the Committee soon.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vikki Slade and Alex Davies-Jones

Tuesday 11th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Alex Davies-Jones]

My thoughts and those of the whole House are, of course, with Katie’s family after the horrific crime that occurred in Birmingham. However, the hon. Member is clearly incapable of facing up to the reality that his Government left behind. It is this Government who are protecting victims and ensuring that violence against women and girls is a political priority, and that we are never again faced with the reality of having to let offenders out early without any safeguards in place. It is this Government who put those safeguards in place and it is this Government who are ensuring that we protect the public.

[Vikki Slade (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)]

15. What steps his Department is taking to provide adequate funding for the courts system.