2023

The UK Youth Rocketry Challenge drop-in event was held on 6 February in the Attlee Suite and I met the winners of the UK challenge Tonbridge School. The challenge is aimed at students aged 11 – 18 from any secondary schools, colleges, educational facilities or youth groups to design, build and launch a model rocket with a fragile payload. 

On Saturday 4 February 2023 I attended the launch event of the Walsall Creative Factory: Making Art with Local Communities at the New Art Gallery in Walsall. Creative Factory develops and delivers exciting and dynamic arts and heritage projects and events with local communities celebrating local diversity and culture.  Their workshops, outreach work, projects and events have provided a valuable stimulus for creativity and community spirit.

I hosted the 15th Annual Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards on 2 February 2023 at the House of Commons. These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those who have made a special contribution to our political and public life over the last 12 months by breaking the glass ceiling. This year’s roll call of winners includes some of our country’s most important senior political figures, including Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP the Lord President of the Council and the Leader of the House of Commons, and Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP the Leader of His Majesty’s Opposition. Both are towering figures in politics today and utterly committed to diversity. 

On 1 February 2023 the House voted on amendments to the UK Infrastructure Bank Bill [Lords]. The UK Infrastructure Bank Bill 2022-23 would put the UK Infrastructure Bank on a statutory footing and clarify its powers to lend to local government.