In the March budget the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave a boost to pub drinkers by announcing he was scrapping the beer duty escalator. In addition to this the 3 pence planned increase by the last Government has been reversed to a 1 pence cut. This will protect jobs and be a boost to the Great British pub industry.

Karen said “As a committed CAMRA Member I was delighted to attend CAMRA’s annual reception in Parliament. I along with many others in Redditch were delighted with the beer duty cut in March’s budget and I look forward to campaigning further to help protect our British pub industry.”

Karen said:  “As always I am very impressed by the work of the YMCA. They do some amazing work with young people and I fully support the excellent Sleep Easy Event in partnership with Redditch Nightstop which will help raise funds for the homeless across the County.”

Karen is pictured with Sharon McCall and Ashley Hewitt from Redditch YMCA.

Karen said: ‘The news that crime is falling in our local area will be warmly welcomed by local people. Our hardworking police officers in West Mercia can be proud of their success. We are on the side of people who work hard and do the right thing, we are reforming the police so they can cut crime and make our communities safer. These figures are clear evidence that those reforms are working.’

The event will once again take place in the Sports Hall at Redditch’s campus of NEW College, and employers representing a variety of sectors will be on hand with advice in securing jobs available within their organisations, most with jobs that can actually be applied for.

Some 30 businesses and service establishments, including those from manufacturing industry, recruitment agencies and Government organisations, have signed up to the event which is to be held from 10am-2pm.

Karen said: “All the exhibitors that came last time round agreed that it was a highly productive event. The feedback I received from prospective job hunters was that they also found it extremely fulfilling.

“Many of the same companies will be present – high profile names such as Birmingham Airport, Rockline Industries, Mettis Aerospace and Blue Earth Foods – but I am also delighted that there are different ones this time round, such as Helping Hands care agency, Peterson Spring and McDonald’s, who I know have a number of new jobs up for grabs in the town due to expansion. I am also delighted that my friends at the Territorial Army will also be there.

“As MP for Redditch I see it as one of my key responsibilities to help local people secure employment, as well as to help businesses and organisations secure the staff they need.”

Staff from Redditch Jobcentre Plus will be on hand to lead job hunters through their vacancies and to advise on benefits, while Redditch Borough Council can talk about business start-ups and finance for those interested in finding out how to start up their own businesses. CSV Redditch will be able to provide advice on CV writing and interview skills, while recruitment agency e-Response will also be represented. Bright Assessing, who provide training for a new career, and Workingrite, helping young people into employment, will also be at the event.

The Jobs Fair is being promoted widely throughout the town and anyone interested in securing a job or looking for a new career is encouraged to attend – it is free. For details and a full list of businesses and organisations taking part, visit: http://tellkaren.com/ or Facebook at ‘Karen Lumley – Member of Parliament for Redditch County’.

Photographers, cameras and reporters are welcome at the event which starts at 10am at NEW College Sports Hall, Peakman Street, Redditch B98 8DW. Karen will be available 11am-2pm for interview.

Sponsors include:

Birmingham Airport
Sigma Financial Group
Jobcentre Plus
NEW College
Helping Hands home care
Mc Donald’s Restaurants Redditch
Rockline Industries
Oakland International
Blue Earth Foods
Bright Assessing – providing training for a new career
Peterson Spring
Nova Training – offering apprenticeships, education and training
Redditch Borough Council
Blue Orchid – business start-up support
Territorial Army
e-Response Recruitment
Fresh Insurance
Redditch Nightstop – charity offering volunteer work
Workingrite – helping young people into employment
CSV West Midlands – giving advice on CV writing and interview skills
Mettis Aerospace
Shaw Trust – helping disabled into employment

Karen said “The Old Needleworks are a very precious part of Redditch’s history and today I was very impressed at how the place has reinvented itself to offer a wide range of interesting courses in creative areas such as art and fashion. There are some wonderful, specialised shops selling jewellery, fine art pieces and other items. I strongly encourage people to go down and have a look for themselves.”

Karen said: “People across the town gather for the Grand National which is a great British tradition and I am very pleased that the horse I backed came second and as a result the Where Next charity has benefited with my winnings.”

Karen said “Blue Earth are a vibrant and successful food company and it is good news for the town that they are based here in Redditch. They employ many people and offer a range of opportunities. The success of the  company is a testament to the hard working staff who do a fantastic job. I am delighted that Blue Earth will be at my Jobs Fair where they have vacancies on offer.”

Karen said “The visit was fascinating. East Midlands Airport employees over 50,000 people and is of the biggest employers in the country. I seen firsthand how staff handle the large volumes of packages and post which arrive and they work incredibly hard. It is amazing seeing what happens behind the scenes at the airport and I am proud that this airport is firmly British”.

Karen said “Nova does some very good work in helping adults provide the education, skills and development they need to move forward in life. It was great to meet the Nova team who are doing an excellent job and are working hard to ensure that people can gain access to jobs and apprenticeships.”

Karen is shown with Mandy Hawkes, Marian Partridge, Felicity Avery, Doreta Belle and Nick Smith.

Karen said: “People across the town gather for the Grand National which is a great British tradition and I am very pleased that the horse I backed came second. I look forward to selecting my chosen charity who I know will be very happy with this donation”.