I was delighted to host an event in Parliament on Thursday 16 October 2025 with Garikapati Narasimha Rao, the spiritual scholar and speaker, renowned in the Telugu-speaking communities for his discourses on Hindu epics, scriptures, and philosophy. 

He has spent over 50 years of his life meditating, memorising a large number of poems that reflect on common areas of life, and shared his thoughts on the common themes between Telugu poetry and Shakespeare, commenting on how poetry builds bridges across languages and cultures, helping us to communicate across divides more compassionately: "Thinking bad but expressing good is great karma". 

It was interesting to witness how the stories of a community can be preserved through song and poetry. The Committee Room was filled with the words and music of his discourse.  Later on a tour of Parliament I was pleased to show Sri Narasimha Rao the mural in St Stephen's Hall depicting the meeting in 1614 of Sir Thomas Roe with the Mughal Emperor Jahangir -  the beginning of British diplomatic relations with India.

(Main photo L-R: Garikapati Narasimha Rao; Rt Hon Valerie Vaz MP; Narasimha Rao's wife, Sarada; Virendra Sharma, former MP for Ealing Southall) 

The Bill passed its second reading on 16 September 2025 and came before a Committee of the Whole House for further debate and votes on 21 October 2025. The House considers the Bill in the same way as a Public Bill Committee, but does not take evidence.

The Sentencing Bill aims to ease prison overcrowding while keeping dangerous offenders in custody longer. It introduces a new “Progression model” for determinate sentences, allowing misconduct in custody to extend time served. On release, offenders may face stricter supervision. The Bill also strengthens community and suspended sentences.

There were six amendments selected for debate and votes:

Amendment 46, stipulates that a suspended sentence would apply to sentences of less than 12 months and this amendment was lost:  Ayes 105, Noes 381.

Clause 1, ensures that the suspended sentences do not apply to offences committed while the offender was subject to a supervision order or in circumstances which are closely connected with the breach by the offender of a court order or an order or award in proceedings in respect of a service offence. Ayes 389, Noes 102

Amendment 24, disapplys the  early release provisions of the Bill in relation to those convicted of the offences listed in the amendment, and would require the Secretary of State to consult on and ensure exclusions for those convicted of other serious violent and sexual offence categories. Ayes 182, Noes 307.

New clause 6, which would mean that anyone who causes death by dangerous or careless driving (or related offences) would be banned from driving for life. Ayes 167, Noes 313.

New clause 9, requires HMCTS to collect data and other information on sentencing and sentenced offenders, and would require the Government to publish statistics on that data every three months. Ayes 104, Noes 317.

New clause 30, which would implement a resentencing exercise in relation to all public protection sentenced individuals, and establish a time-limited expert committee, including a member of the judiciary, to advise on the practical implementation of such an exercise. Ayes 77, Noes 390.

The Bill will be considered again on 29 October 2025. 

I chaired the 6th sitting of the Public Bill Committee on 16 October 2025, scrutinising the Bill line by line.

This Bill reforms local government in England and gives communities the right to shape their local areas. It will also restore the supplementary vote system for mayoral elections in England, and police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales. This will increase the accountability Mayors have to their electorate, including a Public Accounts Committee to scrutinise their spending. 

There will be further sessions where the Bill will undergo further line by line scrutiny in Committee.   

The Committee is expected to conclude and report to the House by Wednesday 12 November 2025.

 

 

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) emits 70% less greenhouse gases on average than fossil fuels and can be used in existing infrastructure and aircraft engines. Earlier this year the SAF mandate came into force, which could save up to 6.3 megatonnes of carbon emissions per year by 2040.

The Bill will provide a revenue guarantee for SAF producers, giving them the certainty to invest in the development of SAFs, such as those made from waste feedstocks and synthetic fuels.

There were three amendments selected for debate and votes:

New Clause 5, establishing a requirement for air travel providers to report annually on their use of sustainable aviation fuel. Ayes 78, Noes 316. 

Amendment 8, requiring the designated counterparty to report on the impact that the revenue certainty mechanism has on passenger air fares. Ayes 151, Noes 319

Amendment 9, requiring the designated counterparty to prioritise UK-based technology when entering contracts. Ayes 160, Noes 324

The Bill was read the Third time and passed. It will now go to the House of Lords for debate.

The Bill, which was debated in the House of Commons in May, returned to the House after scrutiny by a Public Bill Committee. 
The Mental Health Act was passed in 1983 and updated in 2007. This Bill responds to a 2018 independent review, providing a legal framework to strengthen and clarify the criteria for detention, support clinicians to make the right decisions around appropriate care and treatment and ensuring that patient choice and patient needs are at the heart of decision making. 
There were three amendments selected for debate and votes:

New Clause 26 - requiring hospitals to establish a dedicated liaison service for the carers of patients detained under the Mental Health Act. Ayes 78, Noes 327. 

Amendment 40 - requiring consideration to be given to public safety in care and treatment plans. Ayes 163, Noes 339.

Amendment 40, would stipulate that the nominated person for a patient under the age of 16 must have parental responsibility for the patient, unless there are safeguarding concerns. Ayes 164, Noes 333. 

The Bill was read the Third time and passed with amendments. It will now go to the House of Lords for debate.