Valerie has written to UK airlines asking them to clarify their current policies on the carriage of musical instruments on aeroplanes. 

Valerie  visited the Walsall Ecohouse to see how the owners, Martin and Jane Normanton, managed to cut their energy use and carbon emissions by 70%.

Valerie has welcomed the Secretary of State for Health's announcement on April 4th that there is to be a pause in the progress of the Health and Social Care Bill. However Valerie remains concerned that the consultation announced by the Government will yet again fail to address the most serious and controversial aspects of the Bill.

Today,Valerie  made a fact-finding visit to Walsall Manor Hospital in her role as a member of the House of Commons Health Select Committee. The visit began with a round table discussion with a group of staff from accross the hospital. Staff were keen to feedback on how the NHS has been performing . Valerie toured Ward 17, the Children's ward and the Accident and Emergency Department, where she was able to speak with both staff and patients. Valerie also saw the Vision System which logs patients from entry to release.

On Friday 25th March, Valerie visited Bonner Studs and ALCA Fasteners in Darlaston to hear their views on the economy and what the Government can do to promote manufacturing. Valerie met with senior managers from both businesses who were clear that unnecessary paperwork and red tape has used valuable time and resources which could have been better invested in growing their businesess. Managers were also clear that there should be much greater help in providing apprenticeship schemes to ensure that the next generation of skilled manufacturers receive first-rate training.