I was delighted to drop into the World Book Day launch in the Attlee Suite , as a World Book Day Champion, to support  their mission to promote reading for pleasure.  The National Literary Trust found that 1 in15 children do not own a book of their own.  the theme this year is to encourage children to just pick up any book and read... just for pleasure. 


This year 105,000 £1 book tokens will be donated by publishers and distributed directly to children. I donated the books and book tokens to Old Church Primary C of E School. 3 in 5 children told the National Literacy Trust that during lockdown that reading made them feel better. And a survey of primary school children in 2022 , 42.6% said they read more books as a result of World Book Day. So lets encourage everyone to let go of pressures and expectations and Read Your Way.    

On Tuesday 5 March 24 there was a debate for Primary Care and I have ask the House the question:

"Equal access to primary care is so important, but the use of physician associates is downright dangerous. Does the Secretary of State agree that patients have the right to see a qualified GP and not be fobbed off with a two-tier primary care system?"

On Tuesday 27 February 2024 the House considered the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

The Bill would make long-term changes  intended to improve homeownership for leaseholders and freeholders in England and Wales. The Bill seeks to implement Government commitments to improve choice and make leasehold fairer. It also takes forward many of the leasehold reform recommendations made by the Law Commission in 2020. Although I consider this legislation lacks ambition, I recognise that this limited Bill will provide some relief from the unjust and discriminatory practices that our archaic leasehold system facilitates. For that reason, I supported the passage of the Bill at this stage.

I supported amendments tabled by the Opposition which attempted to strengthen the Bill and rectify some of the problems within it. For example, I was in favour of proposals to prohibit landlords from claiming litigation costs from tenants, other than under limited circumstances determined by the Secretary of State.

Additional Opposition amendments which I supported, would have ensured leases on new flats required a residents’ management company to be established, and would have removed the power of repossession of a freehold property where a freeholder fails to pay. These amendments were not voted on. Three of the Opposition’s amendments were voted on, including one to ensure that all leaseholders have the right to vary their lease and replace rent with peppercorn rent.

In addition, an amendment was considered to stop landlords being able to terminate a lease and seek repossession for a breach of terms or an unpaid debt of more than £350. Finally, the House considered a change that would have made sure that when determining deferment rates, consideration should be given to allowing leaseholders to acquire the freehold at the lowest possible cost. I backed these amendments but unfortunately, they were defeated by Government MPs. I supported the Bill overall at Third Reading. It will now progress through the House of Lords.

Mr Marcus Jones signified King’s consent, as far as His Majesty’s interest is concerned.

Mr Marcus Jones signified Prince of Wales’s consent, as far as his interest is concerned.

The Bill was read the third time and passed.

 

 

It was good to meet with some of the finalists of the Living Bridge awards and the unveiling of the Living Bridge Magazine which celebrates the achievements of the Indian Diaspora, in particular Indian students who study in different educational Institutions around the world, India UK Achievers. 

Tanya Paul came all the way from Toronto, Canada where she is working in marketing. Tanya is a finalist in the Arts and Culture category.

Ruhi Khan, to my left is  the Editor of Living Bridge and is currently undertaking research for a PHD in feminism and technology . She also teaches Data and Society.  Also on hand to congratulate the nominees is my colleague Catherine West MP for Hornsey and Wood Green. Catherine is the Shadow Foreign Minister for Asia and the Pacific.  

I wish all the attendees a very successful future.

I was pleased that Deborah Williams from Heritage England agreed to meet to discuss the iconic status of St Matthews Church and how we can preserve the important Town's heritage.

At the meeting on Friday 23 February 2024 also present at the meeting Dr John Edlin and Revd Jim Trood to discuss the background to St Matthews and the support the Church estate needs form funding bodies to preserve its Grade II* status.  That morning there were nearly a dozen volunteers present who were helping with tidying up and cleaning outside and inside the Church. It was good to see people drop in for coffee and tea and to have a chat. The Church provides an excellent safe space for the community. 

For more information go to: https://www.stmatthewswalsall.co.uk