This week I welcomed the publication of the government papers on Hillsborough and the report by the Bishop of Liverpool, a process Andy Burnham and Maria Eagle began in government.

In the chamber, we on this side of the House fully associated ourselves with the very welcome apology the prime minister made to the families and to the people of Liverpool. The contents of the report were scandalous.

There is shock and anger at the revelations that an opportunity to save the lives of so many was missed. There is shock and anger at the despicable and self-serving lies told about the fans behaviour on the day and disbelief that the truth has been concealed for 23 long years.

I paid tribute to the families who have campaigned for justice for so long because without them this day would never have come.

Shortly after the Hillsborough Independent Panel report was released, the chief constable of South Yorkshire police said that it looked on the face of it that some police officers had broken the law.

On Thursday the former chief constable of South Yorkshire police Richard Wells said that it is ‘absolutely essential’ to pursue prosecutions in the Hillsborough case.

At business questions, I told the leader of the House that we stand ready to help secure a just resolution for the Hillsborough families now that the truth is out and called on the government to outline what course of action it will be taking to hold those who did wrong to account.

Hillsborough is one of the greatest injustices of the 20th century. The families, in their fight for justice, have been totally vindicated and I pay tribute to their courage and tenacity in seeking the truth.

I said on Thursday that the attorney-general must now act swiftly to set aside the coroner’s disgraceful verdict and set up a new inquiry.

The report by the Hillsborough Independent Panel was of course the biggest news in Westminster this week, but we also found out that the chancellor has finally plucked up the courage to come to the House at the start of December to make his autumn statement.

I asked the leader of the House to confirm that the prime minister has no plans to cancel Christmas given that his government has decided that autumn now extends well into December.

Meanwhile at PMQs, Ed Miliband asked the prime minister about the government’s target to cut debt by 2015 – given borrowing is up 25 per cent. The government is briefing that the chancellor will abandon his debt target completely. As confusion and chaos continue to surround the government’s economic policy, I asked the leader of the House arrange for the chancellor to make an urgent statement in the House on whether the government is still committed to the target.

—————————————————————————————

Angela Eagle is MP for Wallasey, shadow leader of the Commons and writes the weekly Business of Parliament column for Progress. She tweets @AngelaEagle