On Wednesday 21 January 2026, the APPG of which I am co Chair with Baroness Barbara Keeley held a meeting to discuss and hear from our two speakers.

The first was Music Education Reflections from the Curriculum Assessment Review presented by Sophie Lewis Association of British Orchestras Chair and Chief Executive , National Children's Orchestras

The first ever UK Town of Culture competition, announced by the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in October 2025 will celebrate the rich culture, history and identity of towns right across the UK. 

I had the opportunity to speak with Ian Murray MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts (pictured) about the Leather Museum. The Minister is

This Bill will implement in UK law certain provisions of the treaty signed in May 2025 between the UK and Mauritius agreeing the status and future of the Chagos Archipelago, including the joint US–UK military base on Diego Garcia (the archipelago’s largest island). The UK currently administers the Chagos Archipelago as the British Indian Ocean

As a member of the Panel of Chairs, I chaired 2 debates in the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall on 20 January 2026 from 4pm. The debates were:1. That this House has considered cultural opportunities in County Durham: moved by Mary Kelly Foy MP, it was responded to by The Vice-Chamberlain of His Majesty’s Household, Sir

The Bill returned to the Commons from the Lords. It will make sentencing reforms in line with the recommendations made by the Independent Sentencing Review in May 2025. Chapter Five of the review -'Taking a victim-centred approach' recommended that the Government continues the provision of free copies of judge’s sentencing remarks to victims of Rape

I visited the exhibition at the New Art Gallery on Saturday 17 January 2026.
The Walsall Society of Artists was founded in 1949, with the aim to "help in the work of beautifying the town". The Annual Exhibition is open until 15 February 2026. I encourage you to visit the exhibition on the ground

The Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood, made a statement on Chief Constable Craig Guildford's admission that false information, acquired through the use of Microsoft's Copilot AI Chatbot, contributed to the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a match against Aston Villa last year.

I asked the following:

"Is the Home Secretary able to say