In Harlow
* Last Sunday I was invited to celebrate Chinese New Year – the Year of the Dragon. Harlow has one of the largest Chinese community centres outside any major city in the UK.It is not just a meeting place, but a school, a centre of adult learning and also a club for the local Chinese. Food and special ceremonies abounded.
* Following a series of accidents in recent years I have launched a petition calling for road safety measures on Crooked Mile, which runs between Nazeing and Waltham Abbey. Essex County Council has said it will reduce the speed limit to 50mph but this is not sufficient to improve the safety of the road and so I urge people to sign the petition online. You can sign it HERE.
* On Monday I spoke with constituents on a range of issues when I held one of my regular surgeries at the Harlow Enterprise Hub and welcomed a party from Harlow College for a tour of Westminster.
* On Thursday I met with Lord Hill to discuss the academy programme - which are helping to get extra funds into Harlow schools.
* On Friday I held a surgery at Tanys Dell School and met with David Kerry to learn more about the work of Attwaters solicitors in Harlow.
* I also met children of Maple Class, (age 6-7) at Milwards Primary School after they sent me pictures of rubbish/boarded up windows and broken glass near the school. Rightly, they want to see the area improved, and I will do all that I can to help.
In Parliament
* There was good news this week regarding apprenticeships, which have increased by 78 per cent in Harlow. Funding for apprenticeships is rocketing, and on top of this the Government has announced that from this week businesses and training providers from Harlow can bid for a share of £6 million from the Higher Apprenticeship Fund, which will support the development of thousands of new Higher Apprenticeships in sectors including aerospace, energy and renewable technologies.
* Also, small and medium-sized businesses from Harlow who hire young apprentices will now be eligible for a £1,500 bonus, with up to 40,000 payments available. Harlow businesses can also bid for a share of a £250 million fund to boost skills in their workplace, giving employers rather than training providers direct access to funding for training.
* Home Secretary Theresa May this week praised the work of Essex Police after I highlighted the fall in crime in Harlow. Crime has fallen in Harlow in the last year with 18 fewer incidents of violence against the person, 63 fewer incidents of criminal damage (including arson), 87 fewer dwelling burglaries and 26 fewer incidents of harassment and anti-social behaviour.
* As a keen supporter of apprentices and apprenticeships, on Tuesday I was invited to a reception held at Westminster to mark National Apprenticeship Week, and on Friday I attended an apprentice breakfast at Harlow College.
* Also, small and medium-sized businesses from Harlow who hire young apprentices will now be eligible for a £1,500 bonus, with up to 40,000 payments available. Harlow businesses can also bid for a share of a £250 million fund to boost skills in their workplace, giving employers rather than training providers direct access to funding for training.
* Home Secretary Theresa May this week praised the work of Essex Police after I highlighted the fall in crime in Harlow. Crime has fallen in Harlow in the last year with 18 fewer incidents of violence against the person, 63 fewer incidents of criminal damage (including arson), 87 fewer dwelling burglaries and 26 fewer incidents of harassment and anti-social behaviour.
* As a keen supporter of apprentices and apprenticeships, on Tuesday I was invited to a reception held at Westminster to mark National Apprenticeship Week, and on Friday I attended an apprentice breakfast at Harlow College.
