Barry Sheerman MP

Access to justice for all. This is one of the core tenets of our justice system. A system that guarantees both equal access to justice and equality before the law. It is not only one of the cornerstones of a democratic society, but a principle that people put their trust in. When people’s access to justice is limited, or their experience is one of not being treated equally, trust dissipates, and people lose faith in the foundational institutions that structure our society.

The region of West Yorkshire stands on the cusp of opportunity as our economy regroups post-covid. Our region was once the powerhouse for the country, fuelling the growth of innovation and wealth across the entire UK. Today the climate crisis poses stark challenges to our region, but also presents radical opportunities for modernisation and reindustrialisation in a way that delivers on our national obligations to tackle climate change, and our demand for investment and growth.

However, one area which has only recently received closer attention is the mental health of the sector’s workers. The picture here reveals serious cause for concern and immediate action is required. For example, Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that more than 1,400 construction workers took their own lives between 2011 and 2015.