I chaired sessions of the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill Committee on Tuesday 13 May 2025 from 2pm - 5pm and Thursday from 11.30- 2pm.  The Bill committee considered the proposed legislation in detail in a line by line scrutiny including amendments to the Bill.

The UK’s product safety and metrology framework, originally based on EU law, is being updated through a new Bill which should help the UK adapt to modern challenges. The Bill aims to support economic growth, enhance consumer protection, and maintain high product standards.

The Committee concluded the scrutiny on Thursday 15 May 2025 and I reported that the Bill was scrutinised and that the Committee's work was done.

The next stages of the Bill will progress through the House. 

(main photo from a session in Westminster Hall)

I was delighted to attend the British Book Awards at the Grosvenor Hotel on 12 May 2025 now in its 35th year as a guest of The Bookseller and the Reading Agency.

There was a new Category for Library of the Year and the winners were Manchester Libraries. The librarians who received the award were Cheryl Pridgeon, Danny Middleton and Margaret Duff. I was pleased to be pictured with them, left and below right.

Other parts of the industry such as marketing, rights, production were also recognised in addition to  authors. Rob Biddulph was named Illustrator of the Year. Rob is a great attender of events in Parliament.

The overall Book of the Year was awarded to "Patriot" by the late Alexei Navalny. One Judge said publishing the book was a huge feat, published by The Bodley Head in 40 different countries at the same time.






Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler were awarded a Nibbie for Children's Illustrated for Jonty Gentoo: the Adventures of a Penguin, above left,  and the actor Stanley Tucci won for his book "What I Ate in One Year" pictured above right.

Percival Everett, won overall Author of the Year, and Fiction Book of the year for his novel James, a reimagining of Mark Twain's, the Adventures of  Huckleberry Finn. He is pictured below accepting his awards via zoom.
Percival Everett

This year is the 55th Earth Day, and events are taking place throughout the year to celebrate this milestone. The theme of this year is 'Our Power, Our Planet', calling for everyone to unite around renewable energy.

I visited Caldmore Community Garden on 10 May 2025 for a programme of Earth Day themed activities, including a plant sale, face painting, a bumblebee quiz hosted by Bumblebee Conservation Trust volunteers and an air quality exhibition from West Midlands Combined Authority. I am pictured with one of the Comedy Cavemen and the Woolly Wonder, who use their artistry to teach children about the climate emergency.

The community garden was started in 2011 by Caldmore Village Festival, and has been transformed into a vibrant community space through the hard work of volunteers.

 

 

I was invited to meet the MPs elected by Whitehall Infants School. Their teacher Ms Barter said they were keen to meet me to discuss democracy and Parliament. So I visited the School on Friday 9 May 2025.

There was an asembley where the MP's asked me some questions with other pupils in Year 1 and 2 listening in the Hall. Then with the MPs we held a mini Parliament and I suggested debating a motion. The motion was suggested by the MPs  " Should there be books in the playground".

I acted as the Speaker.

There was a lively debate with a proposer for the motion and another speaker opening the debate against the motion. The debate followed and I explained how in Parliament we "bob" to catch the Speaker's eye. At the end there were 2 pupils to wind up the debate.

I then showed the MPs how we voted. They lined up and voted in the For and Against "lobbies".

The result was in favour of the motion.

The batiq pictures below show the work of the pupils representing the values of the School.

Many around the world and my constituents in Walsall and Bloxwich from both countries were alarmed on 7 May 2025 to hear of the India's strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir following the attacks on tourists in Pahalgam.  It was vital that the matter was brought to the House. During the Ministerial Statement from Hamish Falconer MP, Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan I was able to ask the following question: 

"I thank the Minister for coming to the House so soon. Could he confirm when he or his Department last met the ambassadors of India and Pakistan, and will he ensure that the dialogue continues with them?"

Mr Falconer: "I can confirm to my hon. Friend that the dialogue will continue. Of course, the Prime Minister was in touch with Prime Minister Modi just yesterday, and I was with the Pakistani Finance Minister and, indeed, the Pakistani high commissioner in London just an hour or two ago."

I am aware the the Minister Catherine West, responsible for Asia met with the Indian High Commissioner.