I challenged senior officials from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on progress in removing dangerous cladding. This is an issue that I have raised repeatedly in Parliament - see here. I highlighted that mortgage lenders are still requiring EWS1 forms on buildings under 18 metres despite the Government's assurances in July that this would no longer be the case. You can watch the meeting here and read the transcript here. Updates will be posted here. 

The Government attempted to overhaul our standards system. Owen Paterson MP, who has now resigned, was found guilty by the Standards Committee of paid lobbying and it recommended that he be suspended for 30 days. The Government forced its MPs to vote to not only overturn his suspension but to also change the way MPs' behaviour is policed. Since then the Government has put these changes on hold but it's still not clear what its intensions are. This stinks of sleaze and is a real blow to democracy. See here for an article outlining Keir Starmer's thoughts on the matter. 

This week was also Parliament Week and nominations have opened for the Your UK Parliament Awards 2022. This is an opportunity to nominate someone who has made a difference in our community or who has promoted democracy. Winners will be invited to attend an awards ceremony in Parliament next March followed by tea overlooking the Thames. For more information about the awards categories and prizes see here.