The recent fatal incident in our city has deeply shocked and saddened me as I am sure it has everyone.
Our first focus must be the victim and their family. My heart goes out to all those affected by this tragic loss of life and we have to do everything we can to support them. Keeping our young people safe must be our top priority.
This will involve working across the Avon and Somerset police area and with neighbouring forces. We also need to tackle the root causes of these incidents by working closely with local stakeholders. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the specifics of this incident while the police investigation is ongoing.
Remembering the pain of the pandemic will have been in our minds recently as the COVID-19 inquiry began. It holds a heavy significance for so many. Whether it be bereaved loved ones or those still suffering with debilitating long-COVID, we owe them answers and this inquiry must be how we provide them. The healthcare workers who gave so much to protect us also deserve answers.
They deserve to know why they were exposed to dangerous environments, often without proper support. We need to also learn lessons. The chaos and turmoil that engulfed so much of the response on a political level cannot ever be replicated again. Lasting and meaningful change must be achieved.
Tirelessly hard-working nurses here in Bath deserve better. A significant number have been left undervalued. Many contracted NHS nurses, those who work in the NHS but are not directly employed by the organisation, in Bath are missing out on an average of £2,000 which was agreed to be given to nurses in the recent NHS pay dispute. It is deeply unjust.
The NHS is a crucial pillar of our society and every person who contributes to the service must be valued highly. These contracted nurses deserve the pay award. I have raised it with the government and await their response as to their reasoning over this fundamentally unfair decision.
The Liberal Democrats are also continuing to hold the government to account and have demanded that they bring back a Bill which would end puppy smuggling in the UK.
The Conservative Party promised to deliver this Bill in their manifesto, and the government even drafted the wording of the new law. Therefore Ministers should have no problems backing it. Conservative MPs should not be breaking their promise to protect animals from cruel smuggling gangs.