2022 June

In October 2019 the Government agreed the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol, to govern trade arrangements between the UK and EU in Northern Ireland, as part of its deal to leave the EU and claimed it was an “oven ready” deal.  Any attempts in Parliament to explain to the Government that woudl mean a border between GB and NI were dismissed.  The Government has now published legislation which seeks to undo parts of the Protocol, the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.  The Second Reading of the Bill was debated in the Commons on Monday 27 June 2022.

A Fundraising  Dinner was held at Lal Haveli restaurant in Walsall on Sunday 26 June 2022 to raise money for the Valerie Taylor Trust. It was wonderful to meet Valerie and speak to her about her work in Bangladesh helping those who are vulnerable. The guests were delighted that Valerie was there in person.

I was delighted to meet with Year 5 pupils from Butts Primary School and the teachers when they visited Parliament on Wednesday 22 June 2022.

A Taste of Greece event was hosted in the Jubilee Room in Parliament on Wednesday 22 June 2022 by Alberto Costa MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Greece. 

At Education Questions I asked for a meeting with the Schools Minister. Robin Walker MP  is the Schools Standards Minister and agreed to meet with the Principals of Blue Coat CofE Academy, David Smith and Joseph Leckie Academy, James Ludlow to discuss the refusals of funds to improve the schools. On 21 June 2022 at the Department for Education with officials we discussed the process and the reasons for refusal.