At Business Question on Thursday 30 October 2025 I raised the issue of the Leather Museum. and the lack of information from Walsall Council and Walsall College.

I asked the Leader of the House:   
"May I place on record my thanks to the Leader of the House for all his support? He was a brilliant Chief Whip, and at least now the nation gets to share his wit and wisdom.
May we have an urgent debate on the accountability of institutions for the use of public money? Walsall College and Walsall council are closing the iconic Leather Museum against the wishes of local people, but no financial information is available. Please could we have such a debate on the accountability of financial information?"
The Leader said I should apply for an Adjournment debate which I did immediately after Business Questions. 

 

This Bill makes sentencing reforms in line with the recommendations made by the Independent Sentencing Review.

There were four amendments selected for debate and votes:

New Clause 1, introduces a presumption to suspend short custodial sentences of 12 months or less, unless an offender has breached an order of the court, or where there is a significant risk of harm to an individual, or in exceptional circumstances which would not justify passing a suspended sentence: 170 Ayes, 328 Noes.

New Clause 12, Clauses 12 introduce a new ‘Probation Requirement’ which will replace the Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) and introduce changes to provide probation practitioners with more flexibility to align engagement with an individual’s risks and needs: 82 Ayes, 314 Noes. 

New Clause 19, introduces a statutory obligation on the Sentencing Council to obtain approval from both the Lord Chancellor and Lady Chief Justice for all sentencing guidelines before final, definitive guidelines are issued: 173 Ayes, 323 Noes.

New Clause 20, sets standard determinate sentence (SDS) release points to enhance sentencing transparency and simplify sentence administration and sits alongside secondary legislation to strengthen the adjudication system for managing bad behaviour: 182 Ayes, 311 Noes.

The Bill passed its Third Reading on 29 October 2025 with Ayes: 321 Noes: 103.

 

I visited and tested for my blood type at the NHS Blood and Transplant Drop-In at the House of Commons on the 29 October 2025. This event brought awareness to the national blood shortage in July 2025 and the necessity for a regular and reliable supply of blood, platelets, stem cells and plasma all year round.

Over 17,000 people in England rely on medicines made from plasma, because when you give your plasma, you are giving: baby heart helping antibody adding disease destroying pregnancy protecting liver surgery supporting burn treatment boosting immune system improving life-saving plasma.

The gift of giving blood can help up to three lives.

Check for eligibility and join the NHS Blood Register: https://www.blood.co.uk/

Pictured below on the left, Jay from the 'What's Your Blood Type' team tested for my blood type, which is needed before registering to become a doner. The Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed (Department of Health and Social Care) gave the key note speech.

The main picture shows L-R the Minister, Valerie, Peter Wyman and Navendu Mishra MP, Rt Hon Damien Hines MP.

On 29 October 2025 the Sri Lankan Speaker Hon. (Dr )Jagath Wickramaratne MP led the Sri Lankan Parliamentary delegation on a visit to the UK Parliament. 

This marks a significant step in strengthening parliamentary diplomacy under the "Partners through Parliament" Governance Exchange initiative and aims to explore good governance, transparency, and post-legislative scrutiny with UK MPs and officials.

In 2024 General Election the Hon. Wickramaratne was elected under the National People's Power (NPP) government as Speaker of the Parliament. The NPP became the largest party in the parliament for the first time with 159 seats. The is now a record 21 female MPs elected, the highest in Sri Lanka's parliamentary history. Among them, 19 represented the NPP.

The Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament said they had learned about good practise and would take back many memories of the visit. The Speaker also extended an invitation to our Speaker Sir Lindsey Hoyle MP to visit Sri Lanka. 

It was important that this visit with a delegation of MPs took place so our countries can exchange views.

 

I was pleased to speak at the launch of Pfebve Cancer Support Charity on Saturday 25 October 2025. Elliot Pfebve made medical history when he became the first person in England to receive a personalised mRNA cancer vaccine.

Elliot's remarkable journey from Zimbabwe, surviving assassination attempts he said gave him the resilience to agree to be a pioneer.  I spoke about the inequalities in education, health and employment and  recognised that the audience were predominantly BAME which is a testament to Elliot's ability to reach out to all communities.  I thanked everyone who works in the NHS and said that it was important to fight for the NHS, free at the point of need referring to Nye Bevan who founded the NHS 77 years ago.

The Pfebve Cancer Support Charity raises awareness, fundraise, and advocate for access to novel cancer therapies and patient support services.

Elliot introduced the Mayor of Walsall Cllr Louise Harrison and the Board Members: Rev. Helen-Chaplain, Tom Chaita and Lee Wilcox.

Other speakers were Carolyn and Sophie, the nurse who looked after Elliot when he had the pioneering treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.





Closing Remark 

"The biggest drivers of poor health aren't found in hospitals or waiting rooms. They are in housing, income, education, community and opportunity. But leading change across all of that? It's messy. It's political. It's slow. And it can be lonely."

(Kings Fund 2025)

For more information about the charity:

https://www.pfebvecancersupport.org/

Pictured above: left- the Board and the Mayor: above right Carolyn West Midlands NHS Alliance;  right Elliot with family and friends