On Tuesday 27 February 2024 the House considered the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

The Bill would make long-term changes  intended to improve homeownership for leaseholders and freeholders in England and Wales. The Bill seeks to implement Government commitments to improve choice and make leasehold fairer. It also takes forward many of the leasehold reform

It was good to meet with some of the finalists of the Living Bridge awards and the unveiling of the Living Bridge Magazine which celebrates the achievements of the Indian Diaspora, in particular Indian students who study in different educational Institutions around the world, India UK Achievers. 

Tanya Paul came all the way from Toronto,

I was pleased that Deborah Williams from Heritage England agreed to meet to discuss the iconic status of St Matthews Church and how we can preserve the important Town's heritage.

At the meeting on Friday 23 February 2024 also present at the meeting Dr John Edlin and Revd Jim Trood to discuss the background to

I have received a number of emails about the SNP opposition day debate on Wednesday 21 February 2024. I want to start by explaining the procedure that took place that evening. The Opposition parties are allocated Opposition Days which means the Opposition can choose their debate. As it was the SNP Opposition day, the usual

It was wonderful to attend the discussion with Elizabeth Hallam Smith and Mari Takayanagi  who work for the House and are the authors of Necessary Women over lunch on Monday 5 February 2024. The book recounts the many women who have worked behind the scenes in the Palace of Westminster ensuring the place works. 

At

On Tuesday 5 February 2024, the House of Commons debated the Finance Bill. The Bill enacts various tax measures announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn Statement 2023. One measure included in the Bill is full expensing – a capital allowance tax scheme that lets UK companies deduct 100% of the cost of capital equipment

The House of Commons approved the Electoral Commission Strategy and Policy Statement on 31 January 2024.  I note that, during the debate, the Minister for Elections claimed, “This statement and the previous legislation that this House has put through will augment the accountability of the commission to Parliament and, in so doing, serve this as

On the 31 January 2024 I hosted a IKEA UK & Ireland, Parliamentary Reception in the Terrace Pavillion. I opened the event with a speech and said: “Ambassador Gullgren, Minister Kevin Hollinrake Peter Jelkeby Country Retail Manager, and colleagues from both Houses and other guests for coming to Parliament to celebrate 80 years of Ikea