The APPG on Publishing of which I am Co-Chair held a meeting on 8 July 2026 to disseminate the findings of the Harper Collins UK report.  The secretariat to the APPG, the Publishers Association arranged for Alison David, Consumer Insight Director, HCCB and Farshore, Sam Eadrley, Sales and Marketing Director, Collins and Jemma Offley, Strategy

I attended the All Party Writers Group Summer gathering chaired by Chris Evans MP on 7 July 2026. 

I met the author Tony Bradman (second from right) who writes childrens' literature and whose Dilly the Dinosaur series has sold over 2 million copies. Tony is Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. 

As Chair of the APPG

I was delighted to meet a Sixth Form Group with the Head Mr Smith in the Discovery Room at the Education Centre in Parliament following their rescheduled tour to The Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben (the bell) on 7 July 2026. 

The thoughtful questions ranged from what am I most proud of achieving and how I

https://youtu.be/rUlBuUuLqvU?si=r3wQ0NSS0QKW0xrg

Bill to protect families from energy crises passes all Commons stages

On Wednesday 1 July 2026 the House of Commons considered the Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill.
The conflict in the Middle East has exposed British families and businesses to volatile gas prices making things more expensive. This Bill responds directly to these pressures. 

The Bill will increase

On the second Estimates Day on 30 June 2026 there were the following debates:

3. Culture, Media and Sport: DCMS outlines its approach to investing in major sporting events, supporting sport in schools and communities and investing in young people

Across the country, people have been supporting our national teams and athletes on the biggest stages,

Defence Investment Plan (Government Statement) Government unveils £298 billion Defence Investment Plan

On Tuesday 30 June 2026 the Defence Secretary made a statement to the House of Commons on the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Secretary said the plan would ensure the Armed Forces have the equipment, technology and support they need to meet

There was a drop in and meet the author on  30 June where The National Literacy Trust  highlighted the Summer Reading Challenge.I spoke to the author Nadia Shireen, the author of "Bumble Bear", "Barbara throws a wobbler" and Grimwood.The National Literacy Trust and the Reading Agency are at the fore front of the Year of