Long duration energy storage: we need to be in power

Currently, when the wind wont blow and the sun wont shine – and we’ve not been able to store any of that carbon free energy – we have a massive problem. It is for this reason that the House of Lords Science and Technology committee, on which I am honoured to serve, has just launched …

Assistive Technology: Support for Special Educational Needs

I was delighted to speak in a special House of Lords debate on what assessment His Majesty’s Government has made of the use of assistive technology to support those with special educational needs (SEN). This is a hugely important topic and one very close to my heart. As I said during the debate: I have …

Flexible Working is the Future Now

I was delighted to speak in the UK House of Lords last week in support of my colleague Baroness Taylor’s Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill, which has Government support. I opened my speech by commenting on the huge impact Covid has had on the world of work and how we must take the opportunity of such significant …

Financial Services and Markets Bill: AI amendments.

We are currently in Committee Stage of the Financial Services and Markets Bill in the House of Lords – examining this important legislation clause by clause, line by line, debating the principles, highlighting concerns and suggesting changes. This week (21st March 2023) I introduced four amendments. The first, amendment 218, would require the Government to …

Financial Services and Markets Bill: Digital ID amendment

We are currently in Committee Stage of the Financial Services and Markets Bill in the House of Lords – examining this important legislation clause by clause, line by line, debating the principles, highlighting concerns and suggesting changes. Today (21st March 2023) I introduced four amendments. The first would require the Government to publish plans for …

Financial Services and Markets Bill: Access to Cash and Digital Financial Services Amendments

We are currently in Committee Stage of the Financial Services and Markets Bill in the House of Lords – examining this important legislation clause by clause, line by line, debating the principles, highlighting concerns and suggesting changes. On the seventh day of this process (7th March 2023) I introduced four amendments, all with the intention …

Levelling-Up Bill Amendments: Robot Taskforce

Latest robot density figures show UK lagging far behind global competitors. We must act urgently to invest in automation technology and reverse this decline which is why I tabled an amendment to the Levelling Up Bill calling on the Government to consider a taskforce “to increase effective use of robotics and automation, and reduce disparities …

Financial Services and Markets Bill Amendments: Financial Inclusion

Currently the Financial Services and Markets Bill is progressing through Committee Stage in the House of Lords. I am putting forward several amendments to the Bill and this week introduced a proposal that I hope would ensure more is done to improve financial inclusion. I have long argued that the Government must do more to …

Committee Stage of the Electronic Trade Documents Bill nears completion

I am currently sitting as a member of the Special Public Bill Committee tasked with the job of considering the Electronic Trade Documents Bill. We have just concluded three weeks of evidence sessions, hearing from expert witnesses from the legal, trade and technology sectors. We will now be deliberating over that evidence and awaiting confirmation …