This is my statement on the death of Rhiannon Whyte at Bescot Stadium Station:

“I am shocked and saddened at the death of Rhiannon and heartbroken for her family and friends.  Rhiannon was a young woman committed to helping others and her loss will be deeply felt.

I want to thank the Walsall police and transport police services for their swift response. Legal proceedings must be allowed to progress unhindered against the individual charged with this crime.

May Rhiannon rest in peace.”

 

On 22 October 2024 I chaired the first meeting of the Cross-Party Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood, with the topic being 'The Children's Wellbeing Bill'.

We heard from  Dr Kristy Howells from Cantebury Christ Church University, Professor Kamaldeep Bhui from the University of Oxford, and Professor Paul Gately from UCEN Manchester and MoreLifeUK.

There are many poor health and wellbeing indicators for children and young people across the country, and I hope these discussions lead to the changes we need. The meeting agreed to write to the Secretaries of State of Health and Education.

On Tuesday 22 October 2024 I chaired the Westminster Hall debates on "Support for pubs and the hospitality sector", introduced by Mr Peter Bedford MP.  The Minister Gareth Thomas Business and Trade responded on behalf of the Government. 

The second debate was on "the Development of renewable energy in Cornwall" and was  introduced by Jayne Kirkham MP. Ms Kerry Macarthy, Minister at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero responded on behalf of the Government. 

 

 The NATO Parliamentary Assembly Committees on Democracy and Security and the Political Committee of which I am a member, held a Joint visit to Athens and Chania, Crete. the visit took place from Sunday 13 October to 16 October 2024. We visited Athens and at meetings in the Hellenic Parliament we heard from the Ministers of Defence, Migration and Foreign Affaires on security and political developments on the Southern flank and on the evolving migration and refugee challenges.


Our group then travelled to Chania, Crete.Our first meting was at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC).  We heard a robust speech from Dora Bakoyannis MP Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Foreign Affiars. ( pictured right). At the Souda Naval Base we had  an overview of NATO's  Integrated Air and Missile Defence Centre of Excellence and the Operational Training Centre. The final stop was a walking tour of the facilities at the US Naval Base in Souda Bay. 

The  final day we met at the Orthodox Academy of Crete where we heard from the president of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping who said that Article 87 UN Conflict of the Seas guarantees security and safety. However there is not the right level of governance at sea and it depends on the flag state , the ship wo carries the flag of state but not all ships do. the rule of law is difficult to establish at sea. Greece has a large shipping fleet, 5,500 ships. three quarters of EU trade is transported by sea. The International Maritime organisation IMO is the body that overseas shipping activities at sea. The Hellenic Coast Guard Regional command gave us an overview of the challenges they face with migrants.  Below are the graphs which show a breakdown of statistics complied by the Coastguards. 

It was good to visit the Greenacres Community Gardens on Friday 11 October 2024. I met Paul Mason who runs the Centre and is the driving force. 

The project started in 2012 and was initially funded by Social care and Inclusion. This allowed Paul to refurbish the Centre and gardens. The funding was withdrawn in 2018 from the National Lottery fund. 

85% of people that work on the project live within 10 minutes of the site. The project has previously worked with the pupil referral unit, Adult social care and Mindkind, strengthening families.

There are at present 40 plots being rented out to individuals and groups.

There are currently 12 people with Learning Disabilities attending the site every day, which helps support with access to outdoors, learning new horticultural skills, building confidence, and combatting the social isolation that many disabled people face today. 22 Adults with Learning difficulties attend on a weekly basis. Paul has organised for a skills certificate and those who take part have learnt gardening skills. 

The project also operates a garden maintenance service. The running costs are £60K a year.

Greenacres will be introducing a fishing scheme and are continually exploring and working with other organisations. I will do all I can to support this amazing organisation and even bought some Kale grown on site.