Catherine Atkinson MP

I am honoured to accept the appointment as Victims Minister.

For decades, Hillsborough families have fought the institutions that should have served them. Tomorrow, the Hillsborough Law returns to Parliament, with a duty of candour on public authorities and officials and legal aid for families when the state is represented at an inquest.

The Deputy Prime Minister and I met Ruth Ellis’s grandchildren. With great dignity and love, her family have sought to ensure Ruth’s story is better understood, beyond the way history remembered her. Victims’ families must be heard. Today, Ruth’s family were.

Excellent and important meeting with the Victims Minister @CatKinson80 in Parliament today. We discussed the Victims Code for children and making sure their voices are heard

As the last women to be hanged in the UK, Ruth Ellis' family have lived with the profound impact of the sentence imposed on her for 70 years. By granting her a conditional pardon, today we recognise what they have always known – that she was a victim too. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

I’ve tried to squeeze 2 years as your MP into 2 minutes… Thank you Derby North for putting your trust in me, for raising the issues that matter to you, and for giving me the chance to serve our city. Lots more to do, but here’s a little look back of what we've achieved so far:

The League of Friends Summer Fayre at Kingsway Hospital is open! @catkinson80 opened the fayre with League of Friends legend Clive Moore. Come along any time up to 4pm today (Sat 4 July) and enjoy games, raffles, stalls, a bouncy castle, live music, a fun dog show and much more.

This week, we announced plans to close the sentencing gap in domestic murder cases. Perpetrators who kill a partner or ex-partner could face up to 10 extra years in prison. We’re also putting domestic abuse specialists in more 999 control rooms. My latest round-up:

No more sentencing gap. We’re proposing a new 25-year starting point for those who murder a current or former partner, ensuring the law better reflects the seriousness of these devastating crimes.

This change follows the tireless campaigning of Carole Gould, Julie Devey and Elaine Newborough, after their daughters were murdered. Their strength has helped secure a change that will mean more families get the justice they deserve.

Domestic abusers who murder a partner or ex-partner could face up to 10 more years in prison. For too long, women killed in their own homes have been denied justice by a sentencing gap. This Labour government is closing it. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

No woman or child should fear what happens after the final whistle. Domestic abuse is never caused by football. It is caused by perpetrators who choose to abuse. There is no excuse. Responsibility must stay where it belongs: with the abuser. Access support here: 0808 2000 247

This government appointed the first Independent Public Advocate to support victims and bereaved families after tragedy. As her first report is published today, I thank Cindy Butts for her dedication to helping victims get the support they deserve. gov.uk/government/pub…

Every 30 seconds, police receive a domestic abuse-related call. Today @UKLabour is expanding domestic abuse specialists in control rooms from 5 forces to 17, helping police spot risk sooner, act faster and protect more women from harm.

Makerfield showed that hope can win. It was a rejection of division, cynicism and a politics funded by crypto billionaires, as well as a reminder that politics is strongest when it is rooted in people, place and pride in our communities. That is the politics our country needs.

Thank you to Keir Starmer for his leadership over the last two years. Labour has stabilised the economy, cut waiting lists, brought net migration down and put more neighbourhood police on our streets. The work of rebuilding Britain is underway, and Labour will see it through.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak, press 55. To access free, confidential, 24/7 support, contact: England: 0808 2000 247 Northern Ireland: 0808 802 1414 Scotland: 0800 027 1234 Wales: 0808 80 10 100 Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 2/2

Women’s safety should never depend on an England result. Football does not cause domestic abuse. Abusers do. But we know major tournaments can mean increased risk for victims & survivors, whatever the score. Win, lose or draw, there is never an excuse for violence or abuse. 1/2

My first few weeks as Victims Minister have been full, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. There is no time to waste in making our country safer, protecting survivors and ensuring victims get the support they need. Here’s some of what I’ve been up to:

Victim support must be specialist, trauma-informed and there when people need it most. That is why we are putting more than £14 million into services across the West Midlands, including organisations like @BCWomensAid, helping women and children rebuild after abuse.

Brilliant to see LimeCulture expand their Safety and Support Framework to also help child victims of sexual abuse, with the support of @MoJGovUK funding. We’ll continue working together to protect survivors & tackle violence against women & girls. limeculture.co.uk/ministry-of-ju…