Horizon is the EU's largest research funding programme, making grants which total £80 billion. The UK had been expected to retain associate Horizon membership after leaving the EU, but disputes over the Government's implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol have meant that membership has not been granted. In addition to financial security, funding through Horizon

The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022 allow agency workers to be sent to fill in for workers on strike. Going on strike is used as a last resort by workers to defend good working conditions and fair pay. The Government is attacking this right while doing little to address the

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

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

On 11 July 1995 during the Bosnian War, the town of Srebrenica was captured by Bosnian Serbs. The town had been declared a "safe zone" by the United Nations. More than 8000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed. This

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

The fair was enjoyed by young and old, with lots of stalls and face painting for the children. It was was good to see Reverend Martin Rutter and Val Rutter.

The Reverend has had good luck

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,

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. 

WFD is

On Wednesday 6 July 2022 I sat on the Committee for the Plant Health etc. (Miscellaneous Fees) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022. 

These Regulations amended similar Regulations made in 2015 and 2018 regarding checks made on the health and identity of plants when they are imported into the UK and transported to Northern Ireland. The amendments concern