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March 2024 March 2024
NEWS FROM WESTMINSTER

As a Minister in the Home Office, my focus has
changed slightly from the legal perspective as
Solicitor General, to a more overall view of crime and
law and order. As a former barrister, I have always
had a particular interest in upholding law and order
and justice, and I’m pleased this can continue. Of
course, I’m still a local MP, as well as being a
Government Minister.

Sometimes these two
roles combine – as with
my recent visit to the
Dorset Police Marine
Unit. I was there as a
Government Minister to
discuss their progress on
stopping organised
crime, and protecting
our borders, and it’s
also my local force.
Amongst other things, I
s a w f i r s t -
hand the important role
the Marine Unit plays in
protecting our border
and stopping people
smugglers and illegal
migrants from reaching
our shores undetected. It was useful to discuss the challenges they face on the
coastline – and I got the chance to get out on the water with the team. It is clear
that the challenge we’re facing with illegal Channel crossings affects the whole
south coast, not just Kent.
During Apprenticeship week I chatted to some Border Force apprentices about
their work. Our Border Force work tirelessly 24/7 to keep our country secure, and
it was great to see the work that they are doing at our airports.
One of my responsibilities as a Minister is speaking on behalf of the Government
in debates. This might be to open the debate and introduce the topic, or it
might be to close the debate after other colleagues have spoken. Recently I
have spoken in various different debates about knife crime. I was pleased to be
able to highlight the work being done here in Dorset by our Police and Crime
Commissioner David Sidwick. We have the second lowest rate of knife crime

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