2026 February

I attended UNISON’s briefing for MPs on 24 February 2026. Unison have undertaken research highlighting how a lack of funding for local councils is severely undermining the ambitions contained within the Government’s Plan for Change. The figures for Walsall show: A 61% decrease in the number of Council-run libraries between 2010 and 2023; an 83%

On 23 February 2026, the  Bill completed its Remaining Stages in the House of Commons. The removal of the two-child limit will increase the Universal Credit (UC) award of 560,000 families, who will gain on average £5,310 per year.  A number of amendments to the Universal Credit Bill were considered.   New Clause 3, which would have

During Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, I asked the following question: “Will the Minister meet me to discuss the decisions of Walsall council, including the closure of the Walsall Leather Museum against the wishes of local people?” The Minister for Local Government, Alison McGovern MP, responded that she will.

The 10th Westminster Book Awards were celebrated on 4 February 2026 in the Cholmondeley and Terrace Pavilion in Parliament. As Chair of the APPG on Publishing, I opened the event and you can read my full speech below. I introduced Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association and we heard  from Fleur Sinclair, President of the