“I asked the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government to “call-in” the application for a Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Transit Site at Narrow Lane before Walsall Council’s Planning Committee approved it at their meeting on Thursday 15 July 2021. This application will seriously undermine the Government’s national policy commitments, as well as being in breach of the specific national planning guidance ‘Planning Policy for Travellers’ Sites’ (DCLG). The issue of traveller transit sites and unauthorised encampments is of national and regional interest and is the subject of current debate and proposed legislation in parliament and cannot be dismissed as of local interest only.  

It was a very sad day at Sandwell Crematorium on the 19 July 2021. A service was held to remember the life of George Makin, a local journalist.  George was steeped in journalism in Walsall and also had other interest  such as in politics and photography.  It was very sad to hear of his passing so soon after he was diagnosed with lung cancer. My condolence goes to his wife deb and their children.

On Wednesday 14 July 2021 I spoke in the Second Reading of the Health and Care Bill. You can read my speech below: 

On Tuesday 13 July 2021, the House of Commons voted on whether to reduce spending on international aid from 0.7% to 0.5% of national income. I voted against cuts to international aid, however the motion to reduce spending on international aid passed by Ayes: 333 - Noes: 299.

On Tuesday 13 July 2021, I signed a cross-party letter to the Chancellor calling for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to be extended until March 2022 for jobs in the aviation, travel, and tourism sectors.