It was good to be back in Parliament last week following the summer recess, and I am pleased to be in Westminster once again, working to represent the Forest of Dean and ensuring our voices are heard loud and clear.

We saw the Prime Minister take on his first Prime Minister’s Questions last week, with a record-breaking 125 questions. That was a clear sign of his commitment to listening to the issues that matter to people across the country.

For me, one of the most important issues remains keeping our communities safe and ensuring that our justice system puts victims first.

One of the first things I did after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister was to write to him about the provisions in the Sentencing Act which allowed for the early release of prisoners. I know many of you are concerned about this, too.

I was pleased, and relieved, that the Prime Minister listened and reconsidered this part of the Act.

We cannot allow offenders convicted of crimes against women and girls, including rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse and child abuse, to be released early where doing so could put victims and communities at risk.

It was for these reasons that I abstained on the Sentencing Act at Third Reading. I could not, in good conscience, support measures that could result in serious offenders being released early and risk re-traumatising victims.

The case of PC Andrew Harper has been particularly important and poignant.

I recently wrote to the Prime Minister in support of Maggie Blyth and 49 other policing and law enforcement leaders, calling on the Government to examine every lawful option to prevent those responsible for PC Harper’s death from being released early.

We also called for additional public protection safeguards for the most serious offenders and for victims and bereaved families to be properly considered whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements.

I was therefore pleased to see the Government take action. The Prime Minister has confirmed that those convicted of unlawful killing, including the men responsible for the appalling killing of PC Andrew Harper, will be excluded from the early release scheme.

I therefore took the opportunity to raise this directly with the Prime Minister and the Secretary for Justice, Alex Norris MP, in the Chamber last week.

Our police officers put themselves at risk every single day to protect us. Having served alongside them, I know the courage and dedication they show.

They deserve our full support, the resources they need and the confidence that the justice system will stand behind them.

The decision on PC Harper’s killers is the right one. It sends a clear message that we value the service of our police officers, that we stand firmly with victims and their families, and that those who commit the most serious crimes must face the consequences of their actions.

I will continue to champion that principle in Parliament to ensure those who put their lives at risk to protect us are properly supported and recognised, and I believe this Government can build a justice system that puts victims first, supports our police and keeps our communities safe.