The Launch of Walsall Arboretum Parkwalk on the 26 April 2025

On 24 April 2025 the Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill returned to the Commons. The Bill will improve how the UK handles the collapse of banks and other financial companies: expanding the functions of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and requiring it to provide funds to the Bank of England when needed to help cover the costs of rescuing a failing bank, building society, or investment firm regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA); allowing the FSCS to recover funds by imposing levies on raise money from the banking sector; strengthening the Bank of England’s powers to require the issuing of new shares when rescuing a failing bank, using the money provided by the FSCS and amending legislation to support the above measures and ensure FSCS funds can be used effectively in a resolution.
There were two amendments selected for debate:
New clause 3: Requires the Chancellor of the Exchequer to prepare a report on the impact of the Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Act on credit unions. I voted against the motion which was lost: Ayes 88  Noes 212
Amendment 2: This amendment wanted the selection of a purchaser from the mutuals sector to be considered to avoid demutualisation, provided this aligns with the Bank’s resolution objectives. I voted against this motion which was lost: Ayes 89  Noes 230
The Bill will progress to the final stages before receiving Royal Assent.

The Reading Agency celebrated World Book Night at Hachette Publishers at Carmelite House on 23 April 2025, which also happens to be the birthday of William Shakespeare.

I am pictured with Debbie Hicks the founder of the Reading Agency, Bobby Seagull and Gail Rebuck.

It was the launch for more "Quick Reads" where leading authors were invited to write quick reads collaborating with publishers to produce 30 short, accessible and easy to read titles. There was a Q and A hosted by Bobby Seagull with Cathy Bramley, Leila Aboulela and Fiona Cummins (pictured below right).

The Reading Agency launched and support the Summer Reading Challenge. Many children in Walsall take part in this and there are plans to extend it to the Universal Reading Challenge for the whole family to take part. You can find out more information : www.reading agency.org.uk

At HTA drop-in event on 23 April 2025, there was a great plant give-away to raise awareness of the needs of the gardening and green space sector.

The HTA counts 1,400 UK garden businesses among their membership who contribute to the UK's economy, environment, health and wellbeing. According to their figures, UK environmental horticulture supported over 722,000 jobs, contributed £38 billion to the UK economy in 2023, and is projected to grow its economic contributions to £51.2 billion by 2030.

To reach this target  HTA has published 10 recommendations, including ensuring gardening is added to the school curriculum to develop the next generation of skilled horticulture workers, utilising flora and gardens in health and wellbeing for patients and care providers, and reviewing water use grants to encourage small and medium enterprises to invest in reservoirs and rainwater capture technology.

As Co-chair of the APPG on Horticulture and Gardening I give my support  to "unlock green growth" in the UK. I am pictured above with Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs of the HTA.

Mark Lockhart (l)Jotun Paints & Tom Bowtell

British Coatings Federation (BCF) held a  parliamentary drop-in on 23 April 2025 and I am pictured above with president Sharon Harte (l) and Tom Bowtell (r) CEO.  BCF represents 95% of the coatings industry, which contributes £4 billion a year to the UK economy, directly employing 14,000 people. In November 2024, BCF published the 'Road to Net Zero' following their October 2021 pledge that the coatings industry will reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. Coatings include paints, printing inks and wallcoverings, contributing to the £5 billion shipbuilding industry and £93 billion building construction industry. I was shown a demonstration of oxygen-reactive coatings used on buildings to help prevent fires spreading and buildings collapsing. The UK is a net exporter of coatings to the rest of the world, with Europe as our biggest customer market.  Intercoat Industrial Paints based on Bridgeman Street, Walsall are a leading manufacturer of surface finishing solutions and celebrated 50 years of innovation and excellence in June 2024. (pictured left with Amy Furze from Farrow and Ball)