One of the most significant developments last week in Westminster was the Universal Credit (Removal of Two-Child Limit) Bill, which recently passed its Second Reading.
Since 2010, child poverty has risen by 900,000, reaching a staggering 4.5 million in 2024. This new legislation is vital, expected to lift 450,000 children out of poverty.
Crucially, most children benefiting from this change live in working households. The removal of the limit is being funded through savings from benefit fraud and error, alongside reforms to online gambling taxes.
This is part of our broader Child Poverty Strategy that also targets the high cost of essentials like baby formula and aims to end the reliance on temporary accommodation.
The week also saw the publication of the National Cancer Plan. This aims to save 320,000 more lives by 2035 – the biggest improvement in cancer outcomes in a generation.
The plan is built on a £2.3 billion investment to deliver 9.5 million additional tests by 2029. It will use cutting-edge technology, including AI to read scans and plan radiotherapy, as well as liquid biopsy tests for faster diagnosis.
For the first time, there is a dedicated chapter for children and young people, including a £10 million annual fund to support families with costs such as travel expenses.
Public safety is also under the spotlight with the first Road Safety Strategy in ten years. With a goal to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, the government is consulting on major changes.
These include a minimum learning period for young drivers and mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70. Ministers are also considering a lower drink-driving limit for novice drivers during their first two years on the road.
Internationally, The UK solidified its role as a leader in marine conservation. The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Bill is a vital step toward protecting areas of the ocean beyond national control.
By ratifying this international agreement, the UK will help safeguard fragile ecosystems and ensure the benefits of marine science are shared fairly.
Furthermore, the government has taken a firm stand on global human rights. In response to the violent crackdown on protesters in Iran, the UK has imposed sanctions against senior figures and members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Working with UN partners, the UK is pushing for accountability and the protection of fundamental freedoms abroad.
Finally, there has been a lot in the news regarding the Prime Minister this week. It is important for me to say that the Prime Minister and this government have my full support. This is a crucial moment for this country, and I am genuinely worried about the rise of far-right politics.
After years of revolving-door leadership under the Conservatives, this country needs stability and unity in government, to tackle the challenges we face as a nation.