Knife crime and further action on zombie knives has been on the agenda in Parliament this week.
The BBC has chosen to portray this as an issue MPs are dealing with in their constituency surgeries every single week.
That is categorically not the case, but the incidents of knife crime are deeply worrying and it is absolutely right that Parliamentary time has been given to strengthen existing legislation.
I have been focused on a debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday on Girlguiding, on the work I do with organisations like the Epilepsy Society on anti-seizure medication, and my committee took evidence this week from Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza and Dr Claire Dewsnap on the increase in sexually transmitted diseases in children. Nobody likes talking about this but the stark reality is we have to equip children with the knowledge they need to protect themselves.
This week we are marking Holocaust Memorial and I am attending the event in Southampton to mark Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Day. It is somewhat depressing to have seen so much more security around this event than ever before, what a terrible reality. Although the thing that strikes me is here in Southampton we work hard to maintain community congestion and tolerance and understanding, and it is crucial we continue to do so.
Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP,
Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here