Richmond Park News: 13 March 2026

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS AND TRADE QUESTIONS

Research from The Entrepreneurs Network shows that 54% of Britain’s 100 fastest-growing companies have a foreign-born founder or co-founder. International entrepreneurs play a vital role in driving innovation, investment and job creation across the UK, but the government has proposed the introduction of new visa regulations which will deter high skilled workers from wanting to come to the UK. 

The government’s Immigration White Paper sets out proposals which make it harder for people on skilled worker visas to bring family members or dependents. This will disincentivise entrepreneurs and business people from choosing the UK as a destination to start or grow their businesses. 

I therefore asked the minister what impact assessment has the government undertaken of the impact on job availability due to their proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain, and what conversations he has had with the Home Secretary regarding this damaging disincentive to those looking to build their businesses  and create jobs here in the UK.

I thought the response from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle MP, was disgraceful, as he made light of reforms which will impact people already living in the UK and ones which will impact the future of our economy.

You can watch a clip of my question by clicking here.

During the same departmental questions session, I highlighted the impact that rising energy bills will have on businesses and families.

Recent research by the British Chamber of Commerce shows that over a quarter of businesses will struggle to pay their energy bills over the next 12 months - this survey was conducted before the escalation in the Middle East.

The government has refused to rollback on their planned Fuel Duty Hike, despite acknowledging that the global developments will have a severe impact on the price of oil and gas. I asked Peter Kyle MP if the government plans to reconsider their proposal to inflate the price of fuel, and I was once again disappointed that he would not commit to scrapping their plans.

You can view my question by clicking the following link.

ROYAL MAIL UNIVERSAL SERVICE OBLIGATION URGENT QUESTION:

In each year since 2023, Royal Mail has been fined by Ofcom over delivery delays, amounting to nearly £40million in total. Recent reports suggest that 219 million letters may arrive late this year. These letters sometimes hold urgent and important information. This service is unacceptable.

It is clear that Royal Mail are repeatedly failing to meet their Universal Service Obligation, but, despite this, their stamp prices have consistently risen. This includes next month’s planned rise of 10p in the cost of first class postage, taking the cost of a stamp to £1.80. 

The government supported the takeover of Royal Mail by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky last year, but the service is yet to improve, while the cost of deliveries continues to rise.

I therefore asked the minister whether he believes that the British public should be paying more for their postal service, despite Royal Mail repeatedly failing to deliver their letters on time.

I was pleased that the minister agreed with me on the obvious principle that people should be receiving an improved service if they are paying more for it.

You can watch my question by clicking here.

WESTMINSTER HALL DEBATE ON THE POTENTIAL MERITS OF MODERNISING MARRIAGE REGULATION

Last year, the government announced that they would consult on proposals to ‘modernise’ marriage regulation. These reforms would recognise humanist and many religious ceremonies to be legally binding, including Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu weddings - which currently require a subsequent civil wedding to occur after a religious ceremony in order to obtain legal recognition.

A Westminster Hall Debate was held regarding these proposals, and I voiced my support for the recognition of these partnerships, as couples should be able to celebrate their marriage in 

the way they want to.

In 2020, the High Court found the failure to recognise humanist marriages to be discriminatory, while in the summer of 2022, the Law Commission recommended modernising marriage law and breaking down unnecessary barriers to weddings for engaged couples. The Law Commission concluded that the law in its current state is ‘out of date, complex and uncertain’. 

A recognition of these marriages is long overdue, and you can watch a clip of my speech by clicking here.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EVENT

International Women’s Day was celebrated on 8 March, and I attended an event at Asgill’s House to speak with Councillors, candidates and party members to share my experience of being a female elected representative and to celebrate the day.

The theme for 2026’s International Women’s Day was ‘Give to Gain,’ which encouraged people to focus on a mindset of generosity and collaboration. 

In the same thematic vein, I tabled a Written Question to ask for the government to provide our domestic abuse services with more funding. The recently announced Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy allocated £166.5 million a year for specialist domestic abuse accommodation, but Refuge, a charity that supports victims, cites that an additional investment of £55.5 million is needed to meet demands.

75 women died from domestic abuse last year in the UK, and the majority of these victims were murdered in their own homes. People must have a safe space to turn when they are in need of help.

You can see the government’s response to my Written Question by clicking here.

HOLI CELEBRATION

Last weekend, I visited Hollyfield School to attend Namaste Kingston’s Rangostav. A ‘Rangostav,’ is a festival of colours, and it is tradition in Hinduism to hold this event at this time of the year to mark the beginning of Spring, and to celebrate new life and love. 

It was a pleasure to take part in the Holi celebrations, and I would like to pass on my wishes of festivities to everyone who was celebrating Holi.

COMMUNITY NEWS

RICHMOND PARK NATURE ROADSHOW:

Join The Royal Parks Charity in Richmond Park for free drop-in activities, perfect for families, nature-lovers and budding environmentalists. Whilst enjoying the wonderful wildlife you can: get creative with wild crafts, solve clues on detective trails, place interactive nature-inspired games and have a look at nature specimens at the mini museum!

There are multiple dates available, with the drop-ins occurring between 11:00-15:00 at Roehampton Gate Gardens next to Roehampton Gate Café. To secure free tickets, click here.

WOMEN’S CIRCLE:

On Monday 23 March 2026, Kingston Hive will be hosting the ‘Women’s Circle.’ This is a warm, welcoming space for women to come together and connect. The circle is held with care and respect, without judgement or advice, giving women a chance to pause for thought, to share stories, listen to others experiences and to feel supported by other women. 

The Women’s Circle will be at Kingston Hive, in Kingston upon Thames from 19:30 to 20:30. To reserve a free spot, click here.