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On 11 January 2022 I voted for a motion tabled by HM Opposition to introduce a windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas companies, to fund support for people around the country confronted with exceptionally high energy prices. In my speech responding to the Queen’s Speech on 17 May 2022 I called on the Government to introduce the tax as a matter of urgency, which is available here in full: https://www.valerievazmp.co.uk/valerie-speaks-in-queens-speech-debate-2/. Four months after the policy was proposed, the Government agreed to implement a windfall tax, and on 11 July 2022 the Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Bill went through all legislative stages in the House of Commons.

I signed the Book of Remembrance to mark Srebrenica Memorial Day on Monday 11 July 2022.

It was a beautiful day for the summer fair at St Margaret’s Church in Great Barr on Saturday 9 July 2022. 

Every year the summer holidays can be a time when children’s reading falters. This year’s Summer Reading Challenge will begin on Saturday 9 July 2022. The Challenge is the UK’s largest free reading for pleasure programme, operating in 95% of public libraries to keep 4-11 year olds reading during the six weeks away from school, which matters more than ever after the pandemic.

On 25 May 2022 I was appointed by letter as a Governor of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 July 2022 I received my induction. As a Governor I scrutinise the strategy, management and performance of WFD and how well it fulfils its mission.