2023

I received a response from the Minister to my letter to the Secretary of State for Transport (Rt Hon Mark Harper MP) raising the issue of access to Bescot Stadium Station and the Minister responded to say that the nomination period for the next round of stations to receive Access for All funding has now closed,  there is no existing centrally funded schemes available and to contact the Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and West Midlands Trains (WMT).

The House also considered the Lords amendments on Tuesday 7 February 2023.  The House voted on a Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 10 to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill. The Higher Education Bill is to make provision in relation to freedom of speech and academic freedom in higher education institutions and in students’ unions.

The House voted on amendments to the Seafarers’ Wages Bill on Tuesday 7 February 2023. The Bill makes provision on the remuneration of seafarers who do not qualify for the national minimum wage. There were 3 votes on amendments proposed.

This week will see the biggest strike in NHS history. For the first time in this dispute, ambulance workers, nurses and physiotherapists will walk out together in England. The impact will also be bigger than on previous strike days because more hospital trusts are involved. It won’t just affect emergency care as many non-urgent appointments and operations will be cancelled.

Questions to the Home Secretary took place on Monday 6 February 2023 and I focussed on crime issues in Walsall. “A man was stabbed to death outside ASDA in Walsall town centre. An 18-year old was stabbed to death on Cook Street, Darlaston. What discussions has the Home Secretary had with the new Chief Constable about the serious violent crime in Walsall?”