The coronavirus pandemic has ripped a hole in the UK’s finances, and we all know that steps need to be taken to begin to set the UK on the right path once again, now there is light at the end of the lockdown tunnel.
Addressing Parliament, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, focused on the roadmap and the UK’s road to recovery on the back of the pandemic. He said:
“A year ago in my first budget, I announced the initial response to the coronavirus. what we thought was a temporary measure has changed the way we live our lives. Much has changed, but one thing has remained the same. I said I would do whatever it takes, I have done and I will continue to do so.”
He continued to talk about the impact the virus has had on the UK’s economy, and according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, the recovery is set to return to pre-covid levels more swiftly than previously expected due to the vaccine roll out.
In fighting the pandemic, the UK government forecasts show borrowing at a record £355bn this year, next year this is expected to be £234bn. But it also needs to continue supporting the millions still out of work or on furlough due to the downturn. Protecting people’s jobs was high on the Chancellor’s agenda, as he announced support for self-employed workers and the extension of the current furlough scheme to the end of September 2021.
The Family Law sector would have been waiting in anticipation for the Chancellor’s Budget today to see what impact it will have on the industry as a whole. Boris Johnson called it a “Budget for the recovery” at PM’s questions.
The Chancellor announced in the budget £19m for domestic abuse programmes, commenting, Rishi Sunak says domestic abuse has been one of the “hidden tragedies” of the pandemic.
In the last couple of days it has been announced by the Ministry of Justice, Home Office, The Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP and Victoria Atkins MP that a raft of new amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill will be presented this week, “providing greater protections for victims and further clamping down on perpetrators.”
Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland QC MP said:
“This Bill provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen our response to domestic abuse and its many forms.
“From outlawing non-fatal strangulation to giving better protections in court – we are delivering the support victims need to feel safer while ensuring perpetrators face justice for the torment they have inflicted.”
Safeguarding Minister Victoria Atkins said:
“The Domestic Abuse Bill is a game-changing piece of legislation that will help millions of people who are subjected to many different forms of abuse.
“Controlling or coercive behaviour is an insidious form of domestic abuse that can destroy lives.
“Since we introduced the offence within the Serious Crime Act 2015, controlling and coercive behaviour recorded offences and prosecutions have increased year on year, but we have listened to concerns and understand that perpetrators of CCB can continue to abuse their victims when they no longer live together.
“I am pleased that the offence is being extended so we can protect more victims and send a clear message to perpetrators.”
Since this announcement a letter from Lord Rosser of the government amendments for the Lords reports stage of the Domestic Abuse Bill has been published.
Information relating to the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Bill in the House of Commons on 3 March 2020 can be read here.
