After recess, the week began with Oral Questions to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. During topicals, I asked the Minister if pet ownership would be protected under the Renters Reform Bill. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
On Tuesday I participated in a Westminster Hall debate on Performance Enhancing Drugs and Body Image. Here I made two interventions. Firstly, to raise concerns about the influence of social media and unrealistic imagery on men’s self-esteem. Then to highlight the dangers posed using steroids and the need to understand the side effects of such drugs. You can read a transcript of my interventions here and here in Hansard, or watch them here and here on ParliamentTv.
Wednesday kicked off with a Westminster Hall debate on Energy Suppliers and Customer Credit. I made two interventions to this debate, firstly to talk about the difficulties customers have in getting their credit back and the lack of support from Ofgem in dealing with this. Then to raise concerns that companies are using customer credit to prop up unviable business models. You can read transcripts of my interventions here and here in Hansard, or watch them here and here on ParliamentTv.
In the afternoon I participated in a second Westminster Hall debate, this time on electric Vehicle Infrastructure. I made two interventions in this debate. I drew attention to the inequalities in the distribution of charging points across the UK and the need for investment in this area to make EV ownership more attractive. I also raised the issue of changes to vehicle excise duty for electric vehicles and how this might further discourage ownership. You can read both of my interventions here and here in Hansard, or watch them here and here on ParliamentTv.
Thursday was a busy day, beginning with Oral Questions to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. During topicals, I asked the Minister what work was being done to encourage businesses to support projects to prevent biodiversity loss. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
During Business Questions, I took the opportunity to thank a group of children from the Burnhill Action Group in my constituency who helped to deliver care packages to help with the cost of living and asked for time for a debate on the positive impact of youth volunteering. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
In the afternoon, I took part in a Westminster Hall debate on Human Rights and Religious Minorities in Sudan. I made three interventions during this debate. Firstly, to raise the need for the UK Government and our international partners to encourage Sudanese authorities to protect the rights of citizens. Then to express concerns regarding Sudan’s re-election to the UN Human Rights Council in October 2022. And finally, to highlight the negative role that social media can play in fuelling violence and hate speech in Sudan and other regions. You can read a transcript of my contributions here, here and here in Hansard, or watch the whole debate here on ParliamentTv.
This was followed by another Westminster Hall debate, this time on the Turkey and Syria Earthquake. I firstly paid tribute to local community groups and the incredible work that they have done to help those impacted by this devastating event, particularly the Nurture Society in Cambuslang in my constituency. Then I raised concerns about the impact of US trade sanctions on humanitarian aid. You can read a transcript of my interventions here and here in Hansard, or watch them here and here on ParliamentTv.