On Tuesday 11th, the Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) secured a debate on eye health. Despite this being a devolved issue, there are calls for national oversight and strategy, as the current private-NHS hybrid model struggles to keep up.
I made two interventions during this debate, to highlight the shortage of specialist ophthalmologists, and the need to improve eye health data. You can watch the debate on ParliamentTV.
I later had the opportunity to give a short speech during the Opposition Day debate on reducing costs for businesses. I highlighted a local case, of a business in the constituency struggling with their rising energy costs, and the impact business closures have on communities. You can read transcript of my speech in Hansard, or watch it on ParliamentTV.
On Wednesday, at Women & Equalities Orals, I had the opportunity to ask how the Government intend to better advertise more niche STEM careers to women, in areas such as photonics. You can read a transcript of my question and the Minister’s reply in Hansard, or watch it on ParliamentTV.
It was another busy Thursday on 13th January, with the opportunity to speak to several different and timely issues in the Chamber.
At Cabinet Office Orals, I pressed the Government on their cyber security strategy, highlighting a recent unsolved cyber attack on the UK’s Defence Academy. You can read a transcript of my question in Hansard, or watch it on ParliamentTV.
This was followed by Business Questions, where I asked the Leader of the House to schedule a debate on VAT rates for business, following some stark analysis from the Scottish Tourism Alliance. You can read a transcript of my question in Hansard, or watch it on ParliamentTV.
Last, but certainly not least, the Backbench Business Committee had secured a debate on the plight of political prisoners in Bahrain. As the Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group, I was keen to make a speech urging the UK Government to take action, and highlighting the abuses faced by prisoners. You can read a transcript of my speech in Hansard, or watch it on ParliamentTV.