I’ve been asked to sit on the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill committee, which is meeting this morning. It’s taken far too long for the Bill to get this far – it was originally introduced in the last parliament, by my Labour colleague Anna Turley – but I’m glad we’re making progress of sorts.

This Bill will increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty from fix months to five years, in recognition of the seriousness of horrific crimes against animals.

I’ve added my name to two Labour amendments, calling for filming animal cruelty to be treated as an aggravated offence, and for wild animals to be included in the legislation, as this shouldn’t just be about protecting our pets.

Although, speaking of pets, here’s a picture of my Mum’s new puppy, Henry!