FIRSTLY, I would like to wish everyone receiving their A-level results today (Thursday) the very best of luck.

It is an incredibly nervous time for our young people, who have worked so hard over the last two years. The grades they receive today will determine which career path they take from here and is therefore something of a life-changing moment. It is important to remember that there are other excellent opportunities available other than the university route for those receiving their A-Levels today.

I was at Westfield Sports Cars at the beginning of the month for their Engineering and Technology open day and it was clear that there are some immensely inspiring opportunities available to our young people in the local area. There are apprenticeship routes available in a wide range of jobs across the economy – not just in traditional, skilled manual roles. Whatever university places or other routes our young people choose to take up, I know that we have a very talented and determined new generation coming through that will make us all very proud.

As many of you will know, Parliament is currently in recess for the summer, which gives me an excellent opportunity to get out and about into the Dudley South community. I have enjoyed my time away from Westminster so far as I have been able to catch up with community groups, businesses and other organisations to touch base on how everything is going.

I was back on my ‘Summer Tour’ of Dudley South yesterday, building on last week’s successful visits to Wall Heath, Kingswinford and Brierley Hill. I spent time chatting to constituents about a variety of issues in Netherton, Wordsley Green and at the Moor Centre in Brierley Hill.

I have another summer tour date lined up for the last week of August, so if you see me out and about please stop by for a chat. In addition, you can always book an appointment to see me at one of my advice surgeries, which are usually held on a Friday evening or Saturday morning to provide more flexibility for working families.

On Tuesday I was delighted to welcome the Minister for Financial Inclusion, Guy Opperman, to the Stonehouse in Brierley Hill. We listened to the experiences of a wide range of organisations from Dudley South to discuss debt advice, Universal Credit and increased cooperation between local agencies. It was invaluable for us to hear about how DWP policies are being received in the local area. A wide range of organisations came along for the question and answer-style meeting with the Minister, including Citizens Advice, Dudley Council, Brierley Hill Project, Black Country Housing, Castle and Crystal, Dudley Building Society and Stourbridge Job Centre.

I was also able to get over to the opening of the new NEXT store at Merry Hill on Tuesday morning. It is a truly spectacular building that has brought many new jobs to the local area. Regardless of the negatively surrounding the retail industry in the media, NEXT clearly sees the Black Country as an opportunity to expand and its expansion is a ringing endorsement for the local area.

Stourbridge News:

Preparations are already well under-way for my fourth Dudley South Jobs and Careers Fair on September 13.

I will be hosting my jobs fair at Brierley Hill Civic Hall again this year and it will run from 11am to 3pm. Hundreds of my constituents enjoyed the networking opportunities and range of jobs on offer last year so please get in touch with my office if you would like some more information.

My office on Wordsley High Street remains open as normal during the parliamentary recess, so please feel free to call, email or pop in if there is anything I can help you with.