2016 January

On the 19 January 2016, there was an opposition day debate on the rising cost of public transport.

On Tuesday 19 January 2016 the Science and Technology Committee heard evidence from the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Sajid Javid MP. I asked the Secretary of State about the Paul Nurse Review and the structure of Innovate UK and Research UK.

HM Opposition Labour Party held a debate on the Government proposals to scrap maintenance grants. This was another attempt by The Government to sneak through important sweeping changes thorough the parliamentary procedure of a statutory instrument in order to avoid sufficient parliamentary scrutiny. There was also a vote to annul the Government’s plans to scrap maintenance grants for students.

The 3rd report from the Science and Technology Committee is now available to read here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmselect/cmsctech/573/57302.htm

On Thursday 14 January 2016 I welcomed the Schools Minister, Nick Gibb MP to Joseph Leckie Academy to view the conditions of the Academy’s 1939 main teaching block, which is in urgent need of replacement.