Wera Hobhouse MP: Thoughts with Ukrainian friends and neighbours

Aterrible human tragedy is unfolding in Ukraine. We must stand with its people and provide them with humanitarian and military aid, while unleashing the severest sanctions against Putin and his cronies. The era of Russian interference in this country must end. Much of the legislation for sanctions is ready to go but it must be brought before MPS urgently. The UK has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those forced to flee war and persecution. Our thoughts should be with our Ukrainian friends and neighbours across

Bath who are seeing a nightmare scenario play out in their home country.

■ Many constituents are concerned about the illiberal Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill and I spoke in the debate on February 28. I am bitterly disappointed that Priti Patel and this Conservative government rejected a proposal to make misogyny a hate crime and voted to limit our right to protest. This government makes nothing but excuses when it comes to making the long-lasting change needed to tackle violence against women and girls.

■ The government lifted all precautionary measures against Covid at a time when cases remain high. This is causing distress to the vulnerable, who feel much less safe. It is important that we all continue to take precautions to respect the health of others.

■ The pandemic has taken a huge toll on our collective mental health. Young people have been particularly impacted and they need our support. I took part in the uplifting “Burn and Banish Our Worries” ceremony at Oldfield School. My thanks to Bath Mind, Oldfield School and the Natural Theatre

Company for facilitating this creative, student-led initiative and for their excellent work in our community.

■ I met with teachers’ representatives regarding the strike at the Royal High School, where teachers stand to lose 20 per cent of their pensions. Our teachers perform a tremendous service and their contracts must be honoured. Firing and rehiring is an unacceptable practice in any sector.

■ Constituents wrote to me ahead of my speech in the animal welfare debate. In labs across the country, man's best friends are subject to torturous experiments under the guise of public good. It is time that the government listened to increasing numbers of scientists and voters. The moral and scientific case for tighter regulation of laboratory testing is obvious.

■ My Lib Dem B&NES Council colleagues and I met with First Bus to raise residents’ concerns about recent changes to the routes of the number 6 and 7 buses. The government's failure to provide adequate funding is impacting our bus services. I will continue to fight to improve bus services for the people of Bath.