The tragic murder of Sarah Everard has sent huge shockwaves throughout the country, perhaps because she was doing what many women do, namely walking home at a sensible hour along a well lit street. It has sparked a national conversation about the safety of women on our streets and the role we all play in that. Like everybody my heart goes out to her family and friends and I hope that the outpouring of other women’s experiences will go some way to supporting real change.
With happier news in mind, last week we launched the new Turing scheme, which is a £110 million investment, to replace the Erasmus+ scheme. From the start of the academic year, 35,000 global opportunities to study abroad or undertake industry work placements will be available to university and college students and apprentices. Unlike its predecessor this scheme goes beyond the EU countries and opens up opportunities to study the world over, giving students access to some of the top education centres in places like Canada, the USA and Japan.
A big ambition of the Turing scheme will be to improve social mobility, targeting students from disadvantaged backgrounds and areas which did not previously benefit from Erasmus+, making life-changing opportunities accessible to everyone across the country.
Another recent Government announcement that will have a big impact in our area is the changes being made to unauthorised encampments legislation. This is something I have called for time and again since becoming an MP, as I have seen the damage and devastation left by hoards of caravans parking on our village greens and commons up and down the constituency. Similarly, I know councillors like Simon Oakley, Pieter Montyn, Mike Magill, David Palmer, Elizabeth Hamilton and Roy Briscoe will welcome the development as they have worked closely with me on such issues.
The new laws, once passed, will make it a criminal offence if; a person resides or intends to reside on land without the consent of the occupier of the land; if a person has caused or is likely to cause significant damage, disruption or distress, as we’ve seen in areas like Tangmere, Westbourne and Lavant; and if they fail, to leave the land once asked to do so by the occupier or the police. Again something that will be hugely impactful for our farmers who have to contend with this issue every year.
Importantly these new laws are backed up by stiff penalties of three months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to £2,500, or both. On top of this, the police will have the power to seize any property including vehicles.
These measures will finally mean we will be able to robustly deal with travellers and trespassers who cause such unrest and damage to our area every summer. Something I know will be welcomed by all our agricultural businesses and communities alike!
