A week-long series of events in Redditch and Bromsgrove marking the National Apprenticeship Week culminated on Friday 10th February with local MP Karen Lumley visiting NEW College.

Ms. Lumley joined College tutors at the Redditch campus to congratulate some of the young students who had won various skills competitions that have been taking place over the week.

National Apprenticeship Week is the time when all eyes are on Apprenticeships and it’s all about raising the profile amongst employers, individuals, teachers, parents and the media. Business Secretary Vince Cable launched the fifth annual Apprenticeship Week, which is on course to be the biggest event to-date.

Vince Cable said, “I am very proud of the fact that at a time of financial constraint this Government has prioritized investment in apprenticeships. This has led to the creation of record numbers of apprenticeships combined with tough new standards to drive up quality. Apprenticeships are at the centre of the Government’s skills policy because we know that they work. Not only do they provide individuals with the skills they need for prosperous and rewarding careers, they also boost businesses’ profits and drive growth in the wider economy. We are providing extra help to enable small employers to hire their first apprentices. We will also continue to develop new advanced and higher-level apprenticeships to deliver the world-class skills individuals and firms need to get ahead.”

Amongst the activities at NEW College this week were Automotive Engineering ‘Head to Head’ and ‘pit stop’ challenges where students competed against each other and the clock, an inspirational talk from local entrepreneur and business woman Fiona Hudson-Kelly of Smart Assessor and Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy demonstrations from previous College apprentices. The Hospitality and Catering students also took part in a ‘MasterChef’ style challenge, whilst down at the Construction Training Centre employers and students from local schools were invited along to a whole days worth of events including competitions, an employer forum and the Olympic Skill Build.

Speaking about the drive to create more Apprenticeships, Principal of NEW College John Callaghan said, “We are also keen to demonstrate the skills that our Apprentices have acquired at NEW College and to show local businesses the benefits that they can reap by employing such talented individuals.”

Trevor Jarvis of Trevita Homes Ltd said, “The apprenticeship programs offered through the college are first class and the conditions and facilities at the college are excellent. We have had a few lads who have been through this system and are now employed by our company and we wouldn’t hesitate to take more in the future.”

Karen Lumley MP added, “It’s always good to see a successful apprenticeship scheme as we are investing heavily in investing in our young people. It was good to meet everybody involved today and celebrate their hard work.”

Anyone wanting to complete an apprenticeship or take on an apprentice can contact Ann Isherwood at NEW College on telephone number 01527 548871.

Bradley Farrington, 17 from Redditch is studying full-time Level 2 Bench Joinery and came first in the Level 2 Bent Joinery competition during the Olympic Skill Build that took place on Wednesday 8th February as part of National Apprenticeship Week at the Construction Centre.   Jake Eaborn, 17 from Redditch is studying full-time Level 2 Site Carpentryand came first in the Level 2 Site Carpentry competition that took place also. Both were previous students at Kingsley College.

Karen is pictured with Bradley Farrington, Andy Moule, Programme Area Manager for Construction, ESOL, SFL and Community Learning, Trevor Jarvis of Trevita Homes who judges the Carpentry competition, College Principal John Callaghan and Jake Eaborn.

Local MP Karen Lumley has joined with 105 other MPs from the four largest political parties represented in the House of Commons and written to the Prime Minister urging a reduction in the amount of subsidy given to onshore wind.

The joint letter also asks for amendments to be made to the National Planning Policy Framework to help protect the rural landscape and heritage sites across the country. It also asks for the Planning Inspectorate to be told that these factors, as well as the views of local residents, been given more weight in their decisions so as to counter-balance recent decisions which have given more weight to regional, national and European renewable energy targets.

Karen said, “I have spoken several times in the House on this issue and I know that it is an matter of concern to many people in Redditch. I’m delighted to be part of this campaign. Not only is onshore wind production inefficient and intermittent, it also increases the price of energy bills to every home and business in my constituency. I am keen to see the amount of money available in subsidy for onshore wind reduced and this saving spread across other renewable energy types and also spent on local energy efficiency measures. It is also important that the new planning regime the Government is introducing ensures that local peoples’ views are taken fully into account and that the system recognises the importance of the beautiful countryside and heritage assets we have.”

Karen Lumley, MP for Redditch, has welcomed Government funding to build more affordable homes in the area. Through the New Homes Bonus, Redditch Borough Council has been granted £308,485 this year to build much-needed housing in the local area.

The New Homes Bonus is a multi-billion pound programme that rewards communities when they accept more house building in their area. The Bonus includes an extra reward for building new affordable homes, and for getting long-term empty homes back into use.

Building on the flagship Housing Strategy, the Government has unveiled a range of measures to help first time buyers onto the housing ladder, provide support for millions who have been left languishing on social housing waiting lists and get construction on the move.

Karen Lumley MP for Redditch County, said, “Labour led Britain into a housing crisis – the number of affordable homes fell, waiting lists almost doubled and first-time buyer numbers collapsed to their lowest level for a generation. House building is already up a quarter under the Coalition Government, but there is more to do. I am delighted to welcome this funding for new homes in Redditch. The Government’s actions will help local people onto the housing ladder, provide more affordable housing and create local jobs”.

Young people in Redditch given the Chance to be Chancellor and share their opinions on the Youth Budget 2012

Karen Lumley is supporting the launch of Chance to be Chancellor 2012 and is calling on schools and young people in Redditch to take up in the challenge to learn about, and share their opinions on, Budget 2012.  Run by the Citizenship Foundation, in partnership with Aviva, Chance to be Chancellor is open to all 14-18 year olds across the UK.

Running until the 20^th February, participants can enter into a national competition to win great prizes and visit HM Treasury in London.

To find out more and get involved visit: www.chancetobechancellor.org.uk

Legislation to ban cash payments and increase fines but MPs will push for more.

Karen Lumley MP who asked a question of the transport minister about metal theft has welcomed a Home Office statement today that the government will amend the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, currently passing through the House of Lords to tackle the crime.

Along with colleagues Karen will be pushing for further action such as a tougher licensing regime for scrap metal dealers and working with police, councils and the industry to make sure the new legislation is as effective as possible.

Speaking after the Government’s announcement Karen said, “This is good news and shows that the government is prepared to act fast on a crime that has become a real problem for people and businesses all over the country. It was right that decisive action should be taken to ban cash payments which have made it just too easy to launder stolen metal. Now we need to engage with the scrap metal industry, with the police and with the thousands of organisations that are affected by metal theft to make sure the new legislation really works and to put in place a stronger and fairer licensing regime.”

“Just last week I was discussing the issue of metal theft with local people and I heard how community facilities in Worcestershire had been targeted and people put in danger through sabotage to the heating and ventilation systems of swimming pools in Worcestershire. Metal theft remains an acute and serious problem which I know our police are treating very seriously. It is welcome that we will now have tougher laws with which to support them.”

Karen Lumley, MP for Redditch has visited her local McDonald’s Restaurant in Oakenshaw, along with Councillor Gay Hopkins.  Together they met Robert Holdcroft, McDonald’s Franchisee and his staff, and served a number of customers.

The news comes on the day McDonald’s announced it is creating at least 2,500 jobs across the UK this year, driven by:
•    New restaurants and extended hours
•    Major restaurant refurbishment programme and roll-out of new technology
•    Constant menu innovation and new menu options

Commenting on the visit, Franchisee Robert Holdcroft said, “Some of the staff were very nervous about working with such high profile visitors. However, Karen and Gay made the staff feel at ease, and the morning went very well indeed. It was a great opportunity for my staff to meet their representatives and for Karen and Gay to see just how hard we work to ensure our customers get the best service possible every day.”

Karen Lumley MP said, “It was fantastic to meet Rob and his staff at Oakenshaw and I was made to feel most welcome. I was interested to learn more about what they do as a company, and found the Q&A session with staff members very interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and after having a go at serving the customers myself I now have a new appreciation for all of their hard work. The jobs announcement today is terrific news. McDonald’s have a proven record of investing in training, apprenticeships and opportunities for staff – and with this in mind, I am sure 2012 will be another successful year for Rob, his team and the company.”

Gay Hopkins, Local Councillor said, “Having to deal with the customers during the visit I was very surprised to learn how difficult the job actually was as staff are required to be accurate, quick, efficient and pleasant nonstop through some very busy periods during their shifts – I take my hat off to them! The calibre of staff was extremely high and they all came across as very intelligent switched on people, and most importantly happy in their work environment”

Karen Lumley MP met with staff and volunteers from the local Children’s charity Mentor Link this week at Church Hill Middle School to find out about the work of the charity.

Mentor Link recruits and trains volunteer mentors to support young people in schools that are facing difficulties e.g family breakdown, illness, low confidence.  The mentors come into school each week to support the pupils by listening to and befriending them with the aim of creating a more positive attitude towards themselves and learning.

Chief Executive Andrea Maddocks MBE writes, “ The charity is dedicated to support young people facing difficulties by training volunteer mentors from the community and is part of David Cameron’s Big Society.  It’s great news that Karen can support us by visiting our staff and volunteers at the school and learning about our invaluable work with young people. ”

Mentor Link is supported by the Big Lottery Fund and welcomes enquiries.  If you would like to find out more about our service or volunteer for the charity please contact us on 01299 822336 or email Karen Arnold at Karen.Arnold@mentorlink.org.uk.

Pictured are Philip Hume, Headmaster, Karen, Andrea Maddocks MBE, CEO of Mentor Link, Elaine Powis, Trustee & Mentor for Mentor Link, Rebecca Dixon, Administrator for Mentor Link

This week Karen Lumley MP signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, in doing so pledging her commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who died during the Holocaust.

Friday January 27th will mark the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history – and in the weeks running up to the day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, giving MPs the chance to honour those who were persecuted and killed during their Holocaust and encouraging constituents to actively speak out against prejudice and bigotry today.

In signing the Book of Commitment Karen paid tribute to the extraordinary men and women who having survived the Holocaust, work to educate young people about what they endured, through the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Outreach programme.

In the weeks around Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. This year, people will also be encouraged to take a stand against racism and prejudice today – and to speak out against hatred wherever they encounter it.

Karen Lumley MP said: “Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – and is an important opportunity to both remember the victims of genocide. I encourage all constituents to mark the day and to commit to ‘speaking up and speaking out’ against prejudice today.”

Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “We are proud that Karen Lumley, MP for Redditch County is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day this year. It is vitally important that we both remember and learn from the appalling events of the Holocaust – as well as ensuring that we continue to challenge all forms of bigotry.”

Karen Lumley MP for Redditch County today welcomed the long awaited announcement that the Midlands will get to have a direct, high capacity and high speed rail link to London and the North. Karen has campaigned for HS2 ever since being elected in 2010 and is delighted by the Secretary of State for Transport’s announcement this morning.

She said, “This has to be good news for our region and for Redditch. We will now see travel times slashed to Birmingham and the airport being made far more accessible from London. I have always believed that we must invest in travel connections to ensure faster and more convenient journeys between our major cities and this is how we will support our companies to make Britain and especially the West Midlands the best place in the world to do business in.”