Over six weeks ago, on Tuesday 2nd March 2021, I was appointed Attorney General for England and Wales – and in the subsequent weeks I have been extremely busy exercising the powers of the office in helping the Government to pursue its agenda on issues such criminal justice, domestic abuse, economic recovery and many more issues.
As well as attending the weekly Cabinet meetings – a group of the most senior ministers in Government, chaired by the Prime Minister and used as a forum to make the biggest policy decisions in the country – I also attend various Cabinet sub-committees. These sub-committees are attended by a small number of cabinet ministers and all relate to certain policy areas. For example, some of the Cabinet sub-committees that I attend include: The National Security Council, the EU Exit Strategy Committee and the Criminal Justice Taskforce, all three of which are chaired by the Prime Minister. As their names suggest, these three sub-committees are used to discuss issues of national security; our exit from the EU; and what we can do to tackle criminal activity and I undertake an active role in all three policy areas. Another committee I have recently attended is the National Economic Recovery Taskforce which has been setup in order to help our economy bounce-back following the effects of Covid-19.
As Attorney General, I act as the Government’s most senior legal adviser and there are numerous issues and matters from all Departments of Government that require consent and/or legal advice from me in order to pursue their work. Indeed, all pending legislation is checked by me and other Law Officers to ensure that they are lawful. I will continue to support the Government in a number of its key drives including economic recovery, criminal justice and ensuring our exit from the EU is as smooth as possible.