I was deeply disappointed at the news that the reopening of the Camp Hill Line has been delayed. This route should shorten journey times into the city centre for many of my constituents. The delay is another example of Andy Street’s failure to improve the West Midlands’ transport network. Andy Street is more focused onContinue reading My Statement on the Camp Hill Line
Like many of my constituents, I am concerned about dangerous driving and parking on Birmingham’s roads. I have recently sent a letter to the Chief Executive and Leader of Birmingham City Council about the issues constituents have raised with me. I look forward to hearing from them about the Council’s plans to tackle this growingContinue reading My Letter to the Council Regarding our Roads
Last week, I led a parliamentary debate on ending animal testing for new drugs and medicines. It’s a controversial subject with renewed interest since news that, after a 25-year ban, the government has agreed to resume some tests for cosmetic ingredients. I’ll confess that, despite knowing how strongly people feel about animal testing, I’ve beenContinue reading Animal Testing Must End
It’s become fashionable to claim our politics is broken and, given the recent behaviour of a few leaders, it’s easy to understand why, but are some of the loudest critics also breaking our politics? I’m talking about the intolerant activists, those who never stand for election to anything but assume they’re always right and knowContinue reading Critics Must Allow Debate
I visited Kings Heath Boys School last week which has just had a fine Ofsted report reflecting real progress achieved under four years of the current Head’s leadership. It’s only by providing good schools that we can equip our children and grandchildren for the future. There’s always been a link between poor areas and schoolContinue reading Time To Put Children First
Last week, I attended the Department for Work and Pensions Committee Evidence Session regarding the Plan for Jobs and Employment Support. I used this opportunity to raise the suggestion of continuing support beyond the point of obtaining employment. I am keen for the government to learn from initiatives such as ‘Thrive into Work’, a schemeContinue reading Employment Support Needs Improving
I recently asked the Prime Minister about the risk of six hundred community pharmacies closing because of a contract that’s driving them to bankruptcy. It was signed before the cost-of-living crisis and prior to problems we’re now experiencing with medical supplies. You might think a doctor writes a prescription, the pharmacist provides the content andContinue reading Pharmacies Need Saving
This week I asked the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills about the £600 million levy returned to the Treasury due to the drop of apprenticeship starts this year. Given the skills shortages affecting our economy, it would make sense to let businesses in my constituency and elsewhere utilise at least some of that returned moneyContinue reading What is the Government doing with the apprenticeship levy?
This year, English Tourism Week runs from 17th to 26th March. English tourism generated over £100 billion in 2019 and supported 2.6 million jobs. I was privileged to visit Cadbury World to celebrate tourism in my constituency and the role Cadbury plays in the local economy. Cadbury World is Birmingham’s largest tourist attraction and receivesContinue reading English Tourism Week: Visit to Cadbury World
I’ve been in Israel for a few days, leading a delegation, to discover more about the political and security situation there and learning about peace initiatives. We’ve been looking at some exciting ideas to help people with disabilities and learning difficulties, management of ambulance services and the bringing together of young Israelis and Palestinians inContinue reading United We Can Achieve Peace
