The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) held a roundtable celebrating the legacy of the late Pope Francis, Laudato Si and the new Pope Leo XIV on 20 May 2025 which I attended. 

The roundtable enabled a discussion about the links between climate and debt given that 93% of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries are also facing a debt crisis. COP29 did not release the flow of funding to combat climate change. 

Father Peter Hughes (pictured above), is a missionary priest in Peru and a good friend of Pope Leo XIV. He works with REPAM, the Ecclesial Network for the Pan-Amazon, supporting the rights and dignity of people living in the Amazon and  Laudato Si and the forthcoming papacy. He said Pope Leo IX was committed to continue the work of Pope Francis.  

This Month marks the 10 year anniversary of Laudato Si, 'on care for our common home', an encyclical letter written by Pope Francis which made a distinct link between "the pain of the Earth and the scream of the poor."  

I said it took a long campaign for debt forgiveness and that indigenous and first nation people's rights had to be protected. They believed that the earth was for the benefit of all. 

This year marks a 'Jubilee' year, a biblical concept which calls for periodic debt forgiveness to restore justice and human dignity. CAFOD presented their report  'Jubilee 2025: The New Global Debt Crisis and its Solutions',  which recommends the following policies to advance a fair and functional debt system:

Introduce debt justice legislation
reform the International Monetary Fund
Establish a public global debt registry
Establish automatic mechanisms for the cancellation of debt payments following catastrophic events and applications for debt relief
Include all lenders in debt relief on fair an comparable terms
Create a new, comprehensive sovereign debt framework

There has been progress made on the UK's commitment to climate action globally, including the Paris Agreement as we head to our 2030 commitments. There was a call to change the paradigm to "integral ecology" which includes financial and environmental issues. 

As the Co chair of the Gardening and Horticulture APPG I attended the Chelsea Flower Show.  This annual event is well attended and popular. 
The Royal Horticultural Society RHS puts together different gardens Show, Sanctuary All about plant and balcony and container gardens. This year the BBC Gardeners World presenter Monty Don designed a garden for Dogs and it was designed by using his dog to run through the area. 
Some statistics relating to the industry are: 
£38billion GDP contributed to the UK in 2023; 722,000 total jobs supported by the environmental horticulture and landscaping industry in 2023; £8.4b tax revenues linked to environmental horticultural and garden tourism; £1.9billion total GDP contribution of garden goods manufacturing to UK GDP in 2023 supporting over 29.000 jobs. 
It was good to see David Austin Roses (main picture and below)




Above (l and r) is a garden which uses plants which can clean water. natural filtration systems are constructed which use microorganisms, plants and soil to clean water naturally. Using the plants listed above right, eg the Common reed which removes Nitrogen and phosphorus. By incorporating these species into constructed wetlands or natural filtration beds systems can be designed which, mimic natures own cleaning process, improve water quality without chemicals, enhance biodiversity and offer long term sustainability.   The RHS is hoping that all nurseries will be peat free to protect the peat bogs which are vital for our fight against climate change. This year nearly 50% of exhibitors are using peat free compost.The RHS said they would to become 100% peat free and will not include any exhibitors who use peat compost next year. 

This statement was made by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank:

We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate. We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. This must include engaging with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles. We call on Hamas to release immediately the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held since 7 October 2023.

The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.

Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.

We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.

We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank. Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.  We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.

We strongly support the efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It is a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term political solution that offer the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, ending Hamas’ control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution, consistent with the goals of the 18 June conference in New York co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. These negotiations need to succeed, and we must all work towards the implementation of a two-state solution, which is the only way to bring long-lasting peace and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve, and ensure long-term stability in the region.

We will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority, regional partners, Israel and the United States to finalise consensus on arrangements for Gaza’s future, building on the Arab plan. We affirm the important role of the High-level Two-State Solution Conference at the UN in June in building international consensus around this aim. And we are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution and are prepared to work with others to this end.

It was a wonderful atmosphere at the Poundland Stadium on Friday 16 May when the Saddlers played the 2nd Leg of the playoffs against Chesterfield.

The Saddlers had a 2-0 lead with the crowd encouraging the team to score which they did. then Chesterfield equalised and a final goal from the Saddlers made the score 2-1 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate. 

Now to Wembley with the match against AFC Wimbledon on Monday 25 May 2025 and the winner is promoted to League 1. I am pictured with long standing Saddlers supporter Bob Russell.   

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)