November 3, 2016 8.12 am This story is over 95 months old

Victoria Atkins: Investigatory Powers Bill will give police powers to fight crime and terrorism

There has been much to debate and decide, both at home and abroad in the weeks since Parliament returned from Conference season. The government is in the final stages of passing the Investigatory Powers Bill. This bill will give the security services and the police the modern digital powers to fight serious crime and terrorism.…

There has been much to debate and decide, both at home and abroad in the weeks since Parliament returned from Conference season.

The government is in the final stages of passing the Investigatory Powers Bill. This bill will give the security services and the police the modern digital powers to fight serious crime and terrorism.

I have worked on the bill for over a year and am pleased that we are nearly there.

As the hacking of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) hospitals this week has shown, computer hacking and viruses pose a real threat to our day-to-day lives and our police and security services need these powers to protect us.

I also took part in the moving debate on baby loss. The heartfelt speeches from a number of my colleagues, from all sides of the House, touched us all.

We now need to work together to secure the changes to make sure that the support for families suffering this loss is improved in the future.

At the start of the new academic year, I asked the Prime Minister in Prime Minister’s Questions about the issue of so-called “safe spaces” in our universities undermining the fundamental British value of freedom of speech.

She agreed with me that that so-called “safe spaces” in British universities restrict lively debate in our places of learning.


Away from the main chamber, I joined Lincolnshire colleagues in Westminster Hall to speak in a debate, called by Stephen Phillips QC MP, raising the importance of cycling in our constituencies.

I paid tribute to the work of the Louth Navigation Trust, East Lindsey District Council and Sustrans in their efforts to reopen the route along Louth Canal for cycling, walking and other activities.

At home, I held the first Louth & Horncastle Jobs & Apprenticeship Fair to help increase employment locally, support successful businesses and develop skills in training and apprenticeships.

Many prominent local and national companies, including Luxus, Polypipe, BAE and National Grid, educational establishments and other organisations were present to offer advice, encouragement and, hopefully, jobs and apprenticeships to local people.

I held my most recent surgery in Mablethorpe. The ability to help constituents with the difficulties they are facing is one of the most important – and fulfilling – responsibilities of being your MP.

I hold regular advice surgeries throughout the length and breadth of the constituency so if you would like my assistance do contact my office at [email protected]

Victoria Atkins is the Conservative MP for the Louth and Horncastle constituency.