This last week has seen a range of constituency based meetings and events, which have been incredibly varied. I had a great opportunity, alongside Barclays Bank, to meet a group of female business founders to discuss challenges around funding. The stark reality is that female led start ups still find it harder to get access to finance than those businesses led by their male contemporaries and I was pleased to be part of a discussion as to how that can change.
It was a very stark contrast to be out in the cold and wind at Harmony Woods just outside Andover, where I got to hear about the community effort of a decade of tree planting. Started in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the work with primary schools across the area is ongoing, and there is a real push for wider community outreach. Connecting with nature can be incredibly therapeutic and it was great to hear what the 1000 or so school children had gained from the project.
I have also been to speak to the University of the Third Age in Chilbolton, about the work the select committee is currently doing. We have recently launched a large inquiry into the cultures underpinning violence against women and girls, and it was good to be able to talk about that in Anti Street Harassment Week. I have not yet given up on my mission to persuade the Government to legislate to make public sexual harassment a specific crime, as the Law Commission has recommended. There are many good reasons to do so, and the Minister, my neighbour in Parliament, Kit Malthouse, seemed receptive when I last raised it on the floor of the House.
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