As a member of the Panel of Chairs, I chaired the debate with this motion: “That this House has considered Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2026” on 26 February 2026.

The motion was moved by Wera Hobhouse MP, Chair of the APPG on Eating Disorders, and responded to by Dr Zubir Ahmed, Minister for Health Innovation and Safety.

EDA Week 2026 runs from 23 February to 1 March and aims to educate the public about eating disorders and provide support to those affected.

https://edaw.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

I was delighted to meet President Roberta Metsola at an event held in Speaker's House hosted by Mr Speaker Sir Lindsey Hoyle MP on 25 February 2026.

Roberta Metsola was elected President of the European Parliament in January 2022, becoming the youngest ever person to occupy this role. In July 2024, she was re-elected to lead the institution for another term, as only the second person and first woman to serve as President for two terms.

President Metsola has been very vocal and firm in Europe’s support to Ukraine, following Russia’s brutal invasion. On 1st April 2022, she became the first President of an institution of the European Union to visit Ukraine since the start of the war. As President of the European Parliament, she has led reforms towards a Parliament, which is more modern, efficient and accountable.

She was first elected to the European Parliament in 2013, becoming one of Malta's first female Members of the European Parliament. President Metsola was re-elected in 2014 and then again in 2019 and 2024.

Professionally she is a lawyer who has specialised in European law and politics. She completed an Erasmus exchange in France and graduated from the University of Malta and the College of Europe in Bruges.

 

The Bill was considered by House of Commons on February 2026. This legislation was introduced to enhance financial support for UK industries and exports by amending existing legislation to increase funding limits and facilitate greater investment. 

Last year UK Export Finance provided around £14.5 billion of backing, supporting up to 70,000 jobs, including across key industrial sectors such as clean energy, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and the automotive sector. This Bill will help ensure more businesses than ever before will be empowered to export, with the financial strength of Government behind them. Alongside the modern industrial strategy, it helps maintain the UK as one of the strongest and most innovative economies in the world. 

Amendment 1, regarding tackling modern slavery: Ayes 161, Noes 272

New Clause 2, regarding the impact of financial assistance limits on the steel industry: Ayes 156, Noes 273

New Clause 3, which would have required the Secretary of State to publish an annual report on the impact of the limits set by this Act on GDP, SMEs, and trade between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Ayes 77, Noes 280

The Bill was read a third time and passed without division, and will now be considered by the House of Lords.

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% decrease in the number of council library workers;
a 96% decrease in the number of youth clubs between 2010 and 2024; 
78% of children centres and family hubs closed between 2010 and 2024

There should be improved levels of funding in the Spring Forecast to help rebuild our public library service and wider council services.

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 required the Secretary of State to undertake a review of the effects of the Act on child poverty, destitution, and wider social and economic outcomes, was rejected: Ayes 73, Noes 256

Ministers are committed to monitoring the effect of the benefit cap, they have published a comprehensive impact assessment as part of the Bill, and the ongoing review of the Personal Independence Payment will consider the experiences of disabled people.

I supported the Universal Credit (Removal of Two-Child Limit) Bill, at Third Reading : Ayes 361, Noes 84.