The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill was sent back to the Commons by the Lords with amendments, and there were multiple votes on Tuesday, 17 October 2023.

The Bill is to make provision for the setting of levelling-up missions and reporting on progress in delivering them; about local democracy, town and country planning, Community Infrastructure Levy, the imposition of Infrastructure Levy, environmental outcome reports for certain consents and plans, regeneration, the compulsory purchase of land,  information and records relating to land, the environment or heritage, for the provision for pavement licences to be permanent,  governance of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors,  vagrancy and begging; 

The Bill also abolished the post of Police and Crime Commissioner without a vote by the public who voted for the PCC in 2021. The Bill gives the Mayor power to take on the powers of the PCC at any time.   

There were 17 votes and all were lost to the Government's amendments.

On Tuesday, 17 October, I dropped into the Estee Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Campaign event in Parliament, as it is #TimeToEndBreastCancer. The Campaign unites and inspires people globally in its mission to help create a breast cancer-free world for all. Founded in 1992 by the late Evelyn H. Lauder with the launch of the iconic Pink Ribbon, The Campaign is The Estée Lauder Companies’ largest corporate social impact programme. Together, The Campaign and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation have funded more than £100 million for lifesaving global research, education, and medical services with more than £80 million funding medical research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). BCRF is dedicated to advancing the world’s most promising research to eradicate breast cancer. 

 

I met my constituent from ONE Stop Darlaston (above) which is a thriving Post Office. It is run by Peter and Pam and there are always customers using the Post Office and Store. 



I attended the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Event in Parliament on Tuesday, 17 October, to celebrate the stores, people, and services of our convenience sector. The event was sponsored by Bill Esterson MP. Small Business Minister, Kevin Hollinrake, gave a speech at the event and presented the winner of the Raj Aggarwal Trophy for outstanding community retailing to Linda Williams of Broadway Convenience. 

Convenience stores provide local, secure and flexible jobs to over 437,000 people and, as staff shortages ease, retailers are employing more people for more hours. The convenience sector contributed over £10.6bn in Gross Value Added (GVA) and over £9.1bn in taxes in 2023, and stores invested £646 million in their businesses over the past year. 

 



Vince Malone and Fiona Malone  from Tenby Post Office and Premier Express pictured (l). At the event, the ACS presented 'The 2023 Local Shop Report', which revealed the significant investments that convenience retailers are making to provide a wider range of services to their customers and to make a positive contribution to their communities. With more products and stores going viral over the last year, there has been a clear shift towards activity on platforms like Facebook, X (Twitter) and TikTok to engage with customers. This could be linked to the changing profile of convenience store owners, which is becoming younger, including more women, and more likely to include first-time investors coming into the sector, as well as established family businesses. 

 

 

Thank you to all those who have contacted me about the horrifying events in Israel and Gaza. 

It has been a deeply distressing few days following the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas on Saturday and the resulting loss of life and escalation in violence.  It is difficult to comprehend the death and destruction that has ensued and the loss of so many innocent lives.

I am extremely concerned about the immense humanitarian crisis that is confronting the region and the continuing loss of life and suffering.

There is an urgent need to provide humanitarian corridors for the people of Gaza and to demand that Israel’s response is at all times in accordance with International Law. To be clear, that means there must be humanitarian access to Gaza, and continued supplies of food, water, electricity and medicines.

Notwithstanding Israel’s right to defend itself and rescue hostages, International Law must be upheld and that applies to how Israel exercises its right to self-defence, how civilians are protected and how humanitarian relief is provided.

The attack on Israel, the brutal murder of so many innocent men, women and children and the callous treatment of the hostages are acts of terrorism and must be condemned.

The terrorists of Hamas (a proscribed organisation) are the enemies of peace and their actions have done untold damage to the cause of justice, freedom and independence for the Palestinian people. The consequences of this attack are being borne by innocent Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere.

As you know, I have always strongly supported the Palestinian peoples’ right to statehood and a peaceful negotiated solution for the region allowing Israel and Palestine to live as two states in mutual recognition and in peace.

The cause of peace has suffered a serious setback, but we must not and will not give up hope. The pursuit of justice, peace and independence with security for Palestinians and Israelis alike can only ever be achieved through negotiation.

I am also concerned about the rise in incidents of Islamophobia and Antisemitism here – we must guard against this in our community.

As we mourn for the innocent victims, I will continue to do whatever I can to make the case for humanitarian intervention and a peaceful resolution.

Yours ever,

Valerie

Rt Hon Valerie Vaz MP

Member of Parliament for Walsall South

 

I visited Old Church Primary School on Wednesday, 11 October 2023, to meet with the Head Teacher Davina Clacy and parents, to discuss the traffic flow outside the school where the children cross on Willenhall Street, following an accident involving two schoolgirls.

I watched the school-run traffic on Willenhall Street and discussed measures that could be implemented to create a safer environment for the school children. A Traffic assistant was in place the day before my visit helping the children to cross. But the crossing points are after a bend in the road with no visible signs that this is near a school. 

I have written to the Chief Executive of Walsall Council and asked for a number of measures including a pedestrian crossing, visible signs showing there is a school nearby, and a barrier at the edge of the car park to prevent cars from driving on the pavement. 



 

 

Parents of the children at  Old Church Primary School have helped to run parent-led crossings across the road in order to help the children. They are also organising the Old Church Primary School Community Fundraiser to raise money for West Midlands Air Ambulance and the two pupils who were injured.  The event will take place at Darlaston Community Association Sports and Social Centre on Friday, 20th October 2023, and the event starts at 6 pm.