PARLIAMENT was off for half term so I really enjoying spending more time in Stourbridge during the working week, something I am not able to do when Parliament is sitting.

I was delighted to help open Acorn Adventure and School Trips, a business which has moved back into the area this year.

The company employs a large number of people and operates globally, with an office in India, and provide excellent tours and outdoor activities for young people at school.

I also visited a wonderful social enterprise in Wollaston, The Gourmet, which provides a hot meal at lunch times to older people and those in need.

This enterprise was set up by Sarah Freeman, who won Young Volunteer of the Year for her work in the community. I was incredibly impressed by her passion and professionalism.

I met Peter Davenport, senior partner at estate agents The Lee Shaw Partnership.

It was useful to hear his perspective on the regeneration that has been taking place in the town centre, and what more he thinks could be achieved.

I also met Dr David Hegarty, chair of the Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), to discuss our local health service. I am delighted Dudley is getting an extra £5.9m to help reduce the pressures on our A&E service.

I also visited the new Premier Inn hotel and Brewers Fayre restaurant on Birmingham Street. This development has been another great boost for the town, bringing in both investment and jobs.

This I will be back in Parliament, but my work will still be focused on local issues, including a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sixth Form Colleges, of which I am a member.

Recently we have been calling for the Government to scrap an unfair anomaly which means that sixth form colleges have to pay VAT, while school sixth forms don’t. We have an excellent sixth form college in King Edward VI College, and their students should receive the same level of investment in their education, as those studying elsewhere.

There was also a reception in Parliament to mark Rare Disease Day 2015, an annual international event aimed at raising awareness and highlighting the needs of people with rare diseases.

I was delighted to have Lucy Pratt of FOP Action and Paul and Julie Wootton from Max Appeal joining me at this event.

I am proud to support both groups, which work tirelessly to support children and families affected by these rare conditions.

Margot can be contacted on 01384 370574 or margot.

james.mp@parliament.uk.

You can also sign up to her regular newsletter at www.

margotjames.com/subscribe or you can write to her at The Old Library, Hagley Road, Stourbridge, DY8 1QH.