Speeches by Slade.

“Juries are not the cause of the court backlog; if they were, we would not see similar extended delays in the magistrates courts, which have a record backlog of 361,000 cases. The cause is not just pupillages, but legal advisers in magistrates courts. Given that some of these cases with potentially longer sentences will…”

“20. What steps her Department is taking to make school classrooms more accessible to children with SEND.”

“Over the last 16 months, I have visited most of my 42 schools—some more than once—so I have seen some really effective use of occupational therapy principles, such as removing sensory triggers and updating lighting and layouts. At Colehill first school, the staff have simplified and rectified the décor throughout the s…”

“Yes, and this is my first time in front of the Backbench Business Committee, rather than being a frequent flyer. I am seeking a debate after raising this issue during business questions on a Thursday last month. The Government have moved on some changes to driving testing, which is welcome, with young people having lon…”

“Apart from my slight aversion to the word “reform”—I am trying to reduce my use of that word in my common parlance—I will do it, if that helps.”

“Yes, the bots.”

“I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests as the host of a Ukrainian. Given the growing instability around the world and the absence of the US President from both the G20 summit and COP30, how will the Prime Minister use the close relationship between the UK and America to ensure tha…”

“It won’t be as long as some of my residents have to wait for their driving licences, will it? This is really important, and I do not think that it is going to change in the next few months, so if we need to wait for it, let’s get it on the list.”

“I rise to present a petition about the sale of disposable barbecues. The petitioners and I ask the Government to note that 2025 has been the worst year on record for UK wildfires, with Dorset seeing over 900 of them. Disposable barbecues have been the initial cause of many, so we are calling for a ban on their sale to …”

“I was contacted by residents of Canford Paddock, who wrote to me about ongoing unregulated estate fees, which particularly relate to a suitable alternative natural greenspace—SANG—that was a condition of the development, as it is near a site of special scientific interest. The privately owned SANG is in the Bournemouth…”

“I was fortunate to be part of the Bill Committee for this monstrous Bill—monstrous in size, I should clarify—so my summer was spent digesting each and every clause, and seeking to understand whether it does fulfil its ambitious title and move powers closer to communities. I must be clear that the last Government starte…”

“I am very happy to move new clause 29, should the hon. Member not have the opportunity to—”

“Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Without new clause 29, my concern is that a mayor who does not honour the net zero commitments of the councils that sit within their area may undermine those councils’ principles and hard work, which will have been done over many years. New clause 4, in the name of the shadow Minister, …”

“The age of participation increased from 16 to 18 some 10 years ago, but the age until which funded bus travel is available for those children who live too far away from the nearest school stayed at 16. I visited Purbeck school a couple of weeks ago. Many of the children who attend that school live in villages, and this…”

“Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Jacques Jefferies, a grandson of my constituent Susan Jefferies, on his selection for Team GB at the winter Olympics in February? Does he share my frustration that Jacques has had to set up a fundraising page to make it financially possible to go? In the week that …”

“In the summer, I spent the morning with Anushka, a senior social care worker in Wimborne. She and her colleagues earn more than the earnings threshold and came here with their families on the understanding that they could make a new life here, contributing to society and paying their taxes. The recent hostile narrative…”

“Around half of prisoners are neurodivergent and the population of young prisoners with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is around 10 times higher than in the population at large. With such specialist targeted support needed for those prisoners, we have heard that they have been let down by the system and that t…”

“Have you raised a request for an additional commissioner or two with the Lord Chancellor?”

“I am Vikki Slade, Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole. My interests are as declared on the register. I have no specific interests related to this and am not involved in the law.”

“Thank you, Chair. It is fascinating to read a bit about the commissioners. I noticed that one of them is the commissioner for public law and the law in Wales. Following the last evidence session with your predecessor, the Justice Committee wrote to the Lord Chancellor suggesting the appointment of an additional commiss…”