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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. The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill now seeks to undo parts of the Protocol. The Bill had the first day of its Committee Stage in the House on Wednesday 13 July 2022.

It is a long-established protocol that a Member of Parliament should be notified in advance when another Member visits their constituency. A Member of Parliament is elected to represent those who live in their constituency, and lack of proper notice of visits disregards that relationship. On Wednesday 13 July 2022 I raised a Point of Order regarding several breaches of that protocol by the Members for Walsall North and Aldridge-Brownhills.

At an Urgent Question on Wednesday 13 July 2022, the Foreign Secretary was asked to make a statement on the state of emergency declared in Sri Lanka.

The Online Safety Bill seeks to implement measures to reduce the harm which can be caused using the internet. The Bill had its Report Stage in the House on Tuesday 12 July 2022.

Horizon is the EU’s largest research funding programme, making grants which total £80 billion. The UK had been expected to retain associate Horizon membership after leaving the EU, but disputes over the Government’s implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol have meant that membership has not been granted. In addition to financial security, funding through Horizon enables British scientists to collaborate on projects with scientists across Europe.