I chaired the second Delegated Legislation Committee on Tuesday 14 April 2026: The Draft Energy Prices Act 2022 (Extension of Time Limit) Regulations 2026. 

The purpose of this instrument is to extend by six months (to October 2026) the power granted to the Secretary of State by the Energy Prices Act 2022 to give support for meeting energy costs. The  Government proposes to use this power to extend its 'Renewable Obligation to Exchequer' policy, by which it subsidises 75% of the cost of domestic energy suppliers meeting the Renewables Obligation.

The legislation was passed and the regulations will come into effect on 24 April 2026.

I was delighted to attend the Vaisakhi celebrations on 13 April 2026 at Number 10 Downing Street with members of the Sikh community. My guest was Jag Mavi BEM, who is on the board of the Gurdwara in Caldmore and serves as Deputy Governor of the Women's Estate, His Majesty's Prison & Probation Service in the West Midlands. Jag has been in public service all his working life so it was fitting that he should be my guest.   

Vaisakhi marks the founding of the Khalsa in 1699, espousing values of community and sacrifice, and is usually celebrated with a Gurdwara service and procession called the Nagar Kirtan.

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP spoke about the values of the Sikh community and how they chimed with our values of service and ensuring we look out for our neighbours. 

Here you can read the eNews for March 2026

On 28 March 2026 over 100 protesters marched from the Sister Dora statue to the Leather Museum to protest about the relocation of the Museum announced by the Council on 11 March and the use of the Building by Walsall College.

Lauren Broxton, leather designer and fashion lecturer at Birmingham City University opened the speeches. I spoke about my meetings with government ministers and the referral to Ministers of the contentious transaction if Walsall College went ahead with this "deal" with the Council. My referral on 11 November 2025 to Historic England (HE) resulted in I am delighted to say that the response from HE folllowing an independent assessment listed the building as Grade II. This does not affect the use, but it is a step to preserve the building.

I also had meetings with Ministers, Georgia Gould at DfE regarding Walsall College and the local government Minister, Alison McGovern about the decision made by Walsall Council against the wishes of the local community.

The Bill was considered in the Commons on 25 March 2026 and will introduce mandatory attendance at sentencing, automatic restriction of parental responsibility over the child victim for child sex offenders sentenced to 4 or more years, clearer access to offender‑release information,  strengthened powers for the Victims’ Commissioner,  expanded eligibility for Crown Prosecutors, regulation of private prosecution costs, extended time for Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) reviews and increased magistrates’ sentencing powers.

The 7 amendments were rejected and 6 were put to the vote. I voted to support the motions to disagree with the Lords amendments as set out below: 
Lords Amendments 1 and 3 these Amendments would impose undue pressure on the resources of His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service and the judicial Office.
Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1  Ayes 291, Noes 158




Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 3  Ayes 286, Noes 163










Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment the Commons consider that the obligations to which Lords Amendment 2 would give rise are unworkable. 
Ayes 295, Noes 162









Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 4 Ayes 300, Noes 149





Lords Amendment 7 was disagreed with without debate.

Lords Amendments 4 and 7 the Lords Amendment 4 would alter the financial arrangements made by the Commons, and Lords Amendment 7 is consequential on that Amendment, and the Commons do not offer any further Reason, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient.














Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5 this Amendment gives rise to legal uncertainty.  Ayes 292, Noes 162





Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6 the Victims’ Code already stipulates that victims will be informed of the unduly lenient sentence scheme.  Ayes 290, Noes 163