Exactly 10 years ago today, on 30th October 2013, I was sworn in to the House of Lords as a life peer. As I said in my maiden speech “it’s incredible for someone from my background to have arrived in your Lordships house” and I feel more than a slight sense of disbelief when I …
Tag archives: Featured
Bank Closures
On Friday (29 September 2023) Barclays closed three more of it’s branches in Redditch, Bude and Hanover Square London. They are not alone. In recent weeks, HSBC, Lloyds and Halifax have also pulled down the shutters for the last time on branches across the country. Since 2015 nearly 5000 branches have closed and more than …
The Electronic Trade Documents Act Comes into Force
The Electronic Trade Documents Act comes into force today, 20th September 2023. I have repeatedly described it as one of the most important laws you’ve never heard of because, although it is a small sounding law with a simple purpose – to permit electronic trade documents on the same legal basis as paper documents – …
Continue reading “The Electronic Trade Documents Act Comes into Force”
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 …
Continue reading “Long duration energy storage: we need to be in power”
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 …
Continue reading “Assistive Technology: Support for Special Educational Needs”
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: 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 …
Continue reading “Financial Services and Markets Bill: Digital ID amendment”
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 …
Continue reading “Levelling-Up Bill Amendments: Robot Taskforce”