Worth highlighting that we are still waiting for MHCLG to publish the Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan that was first due in in mid 2024. We need a new strategy, proper resources and specialist equipment to respond to this growing threat. hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-0...

At least 12,454 grassland, woodland or crop fires were recorded by fire services in England in the three months from March to May 2025. This is more than four times the 2,621 incidents logged by these services in the same period in 2024. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Wonderful to be out in Bankside to enjoy a wonderful family fun performance of Pinocchio at the @The_Globe today. A wonderful show on the last day of 2025.

Today I pushed the Government to cut VAT by 5% for the hospitality sector, to help support the backbone of our town centres and High Streets.

Last night @EarlRussellLD and I tabled amendments to improve transparency and the proposals in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill which sets up a revenue certainty mechanism to support the development of a UK industry.

Good to speak in the 2nd reading of the Devolution Bill, highlighting more powers are needed for the London Assembly; to close safeguarding loopholes for Private Hire licensing; and the management of bikes and scooters on our streets.

Interesting to hear about the Lock Out Drink Driving campaign. Around 360 people were killed in drink-driving crashes on UK roads in 2023. A breathalyser, linked to the ignition of a vehicle, could help hugely and they are already used in many other countries.

Today I pushed the Government to mandate public rights of way for walking, wheeling and cycling alongside new railway lines and to transform more disused lines into public rights of way, helping to create more active travel routes.

Good to meet with @UnlockDemocracy this week supporting their campaign for automatic electoral registration.

A moving and inspirational morning remembering Damilola Taylor and celebrating the work of the @DTTlondon with Trustee Piumi Mitchell and former Southwark Council Leader Nick Stanton.

Good to meet the team working on East West Rail, the route joining up Cambridge and Oxford, with the wonderful @ollyglover

Fabulous to see @jools Holland and his big band at the @royalalberthall last night. Always a great night out!

Great to join @AlzResearchUK in Parliament recently for their #DementiaUnseen event, celebrating the voices of over 67,000 people who’ve called for those affected by dementia to have the right to an early and accurate diagnosis.

Today I pushed the Government to improve the longer distance south western rail services, including providing catering and seat reservation services on board. Passengers have put up with a poor service for too long.

Road collisions should not be viewed as inevitable. Today I pushed the Government to use the internationally recognised Safe System principles, grounded in harm reduction, as it develops a new road safety strategy.

Wonderful to join @LambethLibDems and @LondonLibDems to welcome Cllr Tina Valvarcel at Vauxhall today as she joins the Lib Dems. Welcome Tina 👏👏🔸👏👏🔸

Wonderful to go to @ltmuseum on Tuesday for the launch of the new book Every Journey Matters by Sam Mullins about the history of TfL over the last 25 years. Great to catch up with so many people involved!

Lib Dems gain seat off Reform in council by-election

Liberal Democrats strongly oppose Heathrow expansion. See my contribution in response to the Government’s statement earlier this week 👇 hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-10-…

Interesting chat with @transenv about the size and weight of new cars and the impact on our roads. The vehicles on display show the huge growth in car size.

See below the background to my recent question on rail fares 👇

Will the government change the rail sector to give passengers confidence they’re getting the right fare for the right journey? In this episode of Inside Lords Questions, we hear from @carolinepidgeon.bsky.social who quizzed the government on when it intends to simplify rail fares.

Wonderful to see the new #secretmaps exhibition at the @britishlibrary last night. A really fascinating exhibition and beautifully presented. Well worth a visit!

I’ve pushed the Government today, as part of their rolling stock strategy, to secure the right finance partners such as Eurofima to help with the cost effective procurement of new passenger trains.

Pleased to have secured a future review of buses last night including for rural areas and SEN bus services. @LibDemLords voted in favour of a £2 bus fare cap scheme for socially necessary bus routes. Sadly neither the Conservatives or Labour joined us in the lobby. 🚍🚌🚍

Once again @deaconbluemusic.bsky.social rocking London last night at Wembley. Absolutely fantastic concert. 👏👏👏

Last week I spoke in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Two days of passionate speeches from across the House. You can read my contribution here: hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-0...

I was delighted to speak earlier in the week - at a @LibDemLords fringe meeting alongside @shaffaqmohd @markpack - about the work of our group in the House of Lords.

Superb Lib Dems in England event on diversity last week chaired by Shaffaq Mohammed - a great panel and lots of good practice shared and discussed. Thanks to our panel Carl Cashman, Mo Waqas and Cllr Samia Haq.

Today I pushed the Government for a date by when passengers can expect simplified rail fares so they have the confidence they are not being ripped off every time they catch a train.

🚀 Thank you so much for your support @carolinepidgeon.bsky.social 👉 If you'd like to join Caroline and support my VP campaign sign up here forms.gle/5p9NqKYYE5U4... 🔶 Find out more here www.victoria4vp.com

Fantastic to celebrate the latest new open public space thanks to Tideway Tunnel near Blackfriars. Delightful to see HRH Princess Royal opening the beautiful space. And to catch up with old colleagues such as Victoria Borwick.

Today I asked the Government about action to address nitrous oxide misuse amongst drivers. This apparent trend is a deadly danger on our roads. I’ve pushed the Government to look at what is needed to detect and deter this dangerous practice.

Thank you Caroline! Want to endorse my campaign? Sign up at www.josh4president.co.uk

Today I spoke to my amendments to the Planning Bill to make it easier, faster and cheaper for people without driveways to be able to charge an Electric Vehicle through cross pavement solutions.

Today I asked when will passengers see a simpler, transparent new range of rail tickets ahead of Great British Railways. Passengers are fed up with the complexity of rail fares.

This week I raised concern that the Government’s pause of the electrification of the Midlands main line from Sheffield to London, has left Sheffield as the largest city in Britain without an electrified railway and shows Labour letting down South Yorkshire.

A wonderful evening with @RachelBentleyNB at @WaterlooEast seeing a fantastic play - Can’t kill the spirit - written by the wonderful @rgclondoncomms - very special indeed. 👏👏👏

This week I asked the Government about what it was doing to prevent the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit system from causing transport congestion and disruption to freight and pushed for pre-registration systems to help.

A lovely morning out in Bromley supporting Laura McCracken and @BromleyLibDems in their Council by-election. Lovely response on the doorsteps. 🔸🔸🔸

Good to support Roy Pounsford and the local Lib Dems in the Fulham Town By-election today.

An interesting experience travelling in an autonomous vehicle around the streets of London this morning! The technology is moving at pace and the safety of the ‘driving’ was impressive. Lots more to do before such vehicles are mass produced. Thanks to @wayve and Admiral Group.

With heatwaves a regular occurrence I asked the Government today what investment it is making to ensure transport infrastructure is fit for extreme weather.

At the 2nd reading of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill I raised the need to make installing EV charging infrastructure easier for the many households who don’t have off street parking, and the need to use transport infrastructure for solar panels.

At Public Services Committee this week we questioned the Government Minister on issues with the Child Maintenance Service. I asked about improving the online portal for parents so they can use the service when suits them rather than spending hours on the phone.

Today I spoke about the Conservative mismanagement of the HS2 project, a text book example on how NOT to deliver major infrastructure. I welcome the reset under Mark Wild’s leadership.

Today I raised with the Minister the great reporting from Jim Waterson @London_Centric and the need for comprehensive insurance for hire bike operators given the serious injuries A&Es are seeing, known locally as “Lime Leg”.

Having used EGNOS, I know it is an important system for differential (ie pin-point accurate) GPS systems. It is also important that Europe has an independent system that does not rely upon the whims of an increasingly unstable USA.

I spoke in a debate today about reinstating the UK’s membership of EGNOS, a European satellite navigation service which helps in particular smaller, regional airports with safe navigation. It was another casualty of Brexit.