A comment on Mims' activities through the week, and the latest news from Parliament.
As I write this latest article we are steaming towards Christmas, and while the rush around Westminster continues - with the business of both Houses of Parliament continuing until just days before Christmas Day itself - I wanted to provide you with an update on the important areas that have been debated, events that have been held and questions that I have asked in the past couple of weeks.
Two particularly important pieces of legislation have been debated in the lead up to the end of 2017, the Finance Bill and the European Union Withdrawal Bill – both of which have made their way through Committee Stage.
The Finance (No.2) Bill follows the Chancellor's Budget statement on 22 November 2017, and brings forward many of the excellent announcements included within that statement, including a reduction in stamp duty for first time buyers – something that I called for ahead of the Budget statement and was delighted to see included. This welcome move is expected to act as a cut in stamp duty for 95% of all first time buyers, while cutting it altogether for 80%.
The second of the Bills, the European Withdrawal Bill, made its way through Parliament as the Prime Minister concluded the first phase of the Brexit talks. This is an important step forward, representing agreement with the European Commission on citizens' rights, Northern Ireland and the financial settlement; and I was pleased to recently have the opportunity in the House of Commons Chamber to praise the huge contribution that the 3 million EU nationals living in the UK have made, particularly in the NHS, which was brought home to me by local resident Stephane Guegan.
The Brexit talks now move forward to the second phase, at which point our future trade relationship with the EU will be discussed, allowing the Government to provide even greater certainty for UK businesses, something that I know will be welcomed by many across my bustling Eastleigh constituency.
I have written previously about my work on women’s issues, such as Valproate, Primodos and mesh implants, and I was delighted to again have the opportunity to raise this in a question to the Prime Minister during PMQ’s. A large number of constituents have been in touch with me in relation to these concerns, and I was pleased that the Prime Minister confirmed that the Government will keep a clear focus on women’s health.
The Prime Minister is one of many inspiring female figures across Parliament, and it is thanks to women such as her that issues such as those already mentioned - which can have a real impact on women’s lives – are raised time and time again both within and outside of Parliament. It is for this reason that I take my role as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in Parliament so seriously. I was therefore delighted to host the Christmas Reception for the APPG which celebrates the excellent female leaders across the political spectrum, and looks to inspire the female leaders of the future.
I was delighted that Secretary of State and Equalities Minister Justine Greening, Minister for Women Anne Milton, Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee Maria Miller were able to speak at the event, alongside Nicola Bannister from Lloyds Banking Group, who support the APPG through their women’s mentoring scheme.
2018 brings with it many celebrations for our country, but one that I am particularly looking forward to is marking 100 years since the first woman was elected to Parliament, and this event was an excellent way to pre-empt those celebrations.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and as always, I will be sure to keep everybody updated both via this column, as well as via my website and social media outlets.