Local News

The Reading Agency celebrated World Book Night at Hachette Publishers at Carmelite House on 23 April 2025, which also happens to be the birthday of William Shakespeare. I am pictured with Debbie Hicks the founder of the Reading Agency, Bobby Seagull and Gail Rebuck. It was the launch for more “Quick Reads” where leading authors

At HTA drop-in event on 23 April 2025, there was a great plant give-away to raise awareness of the needs of the gardening and green space sector. The HTA counts 1,400 UK garden businesses among their membership who contribute to the UK’s economy, environment, health and wellbeing. According to their figures, UK environmental horticulture supported

Mark Lockhart (l)Jotun Paints & Tom Bowtell British Coatings Federation (BCF) held a  parliamentary drop-in on 23 April 2025 and I am pictured above with president Sharon Harte (l) and Tom Bowtell (r) CEO.  BCF represents 95% of the coatings industry, which contributes £4 billion a year to the UK economy, directly employing 14,000 people. 

On Wednesday 23 April 2025 I chaired the Delegated Legislation Committee, which considered the draft Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025. The motion was moved by Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.  This statutory instrument aims to address the  flaws in supply relations and the lack of meaningful contractual relations between buyers