Education, Skills and Jobs

Our future prosperity depends on generating more high-value jobs in South Wiltshire. I am thrilled that Boscombe Down and Porton Down offer expanding opportunities in the aerospace and life sciences sectors. Organisations including Boeing, Qinetiq, DSTL and Porton Biopharma are anchor employers, presenting our young people with outstanding career opportunities, including apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are of great benefit to young people; developing vital skills, introducing individuals to work life and learning about the sector whilst training is a brilliant way to understand industries and build careers.

In Salisbury, the £14 million redevelopment of the Wiltshire College campus – which I heavily lobbied for – has begun and will eventually lead to an increase of 1,000 students. This expansion will help ensure that people entering the local labour force are equipped with the necessary skills for the modern economy. With an increase of students, this will create new jobs, thus encouraging employment in the local area.

News

The Salisbury Office

Great to be with the The Salisbury Office team this afternoon to officially open their Endless Street business along with the Mayor and Cllr Atiqul Hoque.

Small Business Saturday

Today is Small Business Saturday across the UK! I have been out in Salisbury all day - great to see so many enjoying the opportunity to support local businesses and continue preparations for Christmas. Thank you to Salisbury Business Improvement District for ⁦supporting this initiative!

Visit: Lamb Engineering

In South Newton this morning with Cllr Pauline Church to visit Lamb Engineering. It's a brilliant company showcasing local talent in precision engineering.

Culture Recovery Fund: Salisbury

The first major tranche of the government's £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund was announced today and I was delighted to see that four organisations in Salisbury and South Wiltshire were successful. I took the opportunity this morning for a whistle-stop tour!

Productive Day in the Constituency

Very productive day in Salisbury and Amesbury! As well as my weekly surgery appointments, it was a pleasure to open McCarthy and Stone's Castle Gate retirement community building on Endless Street and meet some of the new residents.

Meeting with Children's Commissioner

This week I met with Anne Longfield OBE, Children's Commissioner for England to discuss the needs of vulnerable children and families.

Prime Minister's Visit to Salisbury

Great to welcome our Prime Minister Boris Johnson to Salisbury for a visit to meet stallholders at the Salisbury Christmas market, local business owners and those who helped to develop the Entrain Space project in Wilton.

Meeting with Local Stakeholders

It is always a proud moment as an MP when a local business in the constituency is recognised with a national award.

Spending Round Announcement

After watching yesterday’s deeply disappointing move by MPs to frustrate the implementation of the referendum result, it was good to be back in the House of Commons this afternoon to see the Chancellor of the Exchequer deliver the Spending Round announcement.

Shadowing Local Police

It was a privilege to spend time with the police in Salisbury to gain a better understanding of the challenges they face as they work to protect communities across South Wiltshire.