19,000 young people in Manchester help hit 2m apprenticeship goal

Two million apprenticeships have been created in the UK since 2010 with 18,940 people in Manchester getting a vital start in life. 

Apprenticeships offered by Manchester companies performed a crucial role in the local economy.


Apprenticeships are a vital part of building a stronger economy and a fairer society. By ensuring young people are able to earn and learn, we give them the opportunity to get on it life.
I am delighted young people in Manchester have benefited from fantastic training and employment opportunities that apprenticeships offer. I’m also delighted that over two million young people across England have been able to take advantage.


Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills Vince Cable MP said:

“Reaching the two millionth apprenticeship is testament to Liberal Democrat’s commitment to apprenticeships. Apprenticeships give young people the chance to start a career and give businesses the talent to grow.

“This isn’t just about numbers. From space engineering, to TV production, to legal services, apprenticeships are the ticket to a great job and a route employers trust to access the skills they need.


“That is why the Liberal Democrats made them a priority when we entered office and I am delighted that we have been able to deliver on our promise to have two million apprentices start in this Parliament.”

More needs to be done to help South Manchester carers

On Carers Rights Day more needs to be done to support the 8302 carers in South Manchester who are the unsung heroes of the system.

New research by Carers UK shows there are 2720 people who begin caring annually in South Manchester.

Carers save the state tens of billions of pounds a year and the Liberal Democrats have created a package of measures to support carers as part of our pre-manifesto.

The package includes raising the amount carers can earn before losing their allowance.

It also contains measures for more flexible working hours, support in returning to the jobs market and a scheme informing carers of their rights and giving them access to facilities.

This follows Lib Dem plans announced earlier this year to introduce an annual Carer’s Bonus of up to £250.

The carers in South Manchester all do a remarkable job. We need to make sure they receive the support they need.

Carers contribute so much to our economy and society we want to make it easier for them to stay in work and balance their caring responsibilities with other parts of their lives.

The Liberal Democrats believe in offering opportunity for everyone in order to build a stronger economy and a fairer society and that means really valuing the work that informal carers do, day in day out.

Liberal Democrat Health Committee Co-Chair Paul Burstow said: "Carers are the unsung heroes of our care system. In Government Liberal Democrats have legislated new rights to support and fund more breaks for carers.


"Our carer’s package of measures recognises the huge contribution carers make. It aims to offer the right support at the right time to carers in work, when dealing with the NHS and financially.”

Lib Dem working for a greener future

The Liberal Democrats in government are taking action to help protect the environment, build homes, lower bills for homeowners and create a sustainable future for all. 

To find out more why not check out this link -http://bit.ly/1pzPKNi

In Manchester, Labour won 100% of the seats with 58% of the vote

You can sign the petition asking party leaders to change the voting system here: http://bit.ly/SPtoKd 

Thank you!

I am no longer a Councillor for Chorlton as my term has ended and I chose not to re-stand. I want to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of residents who have supported me over the last four years. It has been an absolute privilege to represent Chorlton; the area where I live, grew up in and love.

Please feel free to still contact me if I can be of any help. My email address is victor.libdem@ymail.com
You can also contact John Leech, Chorlton's Lib Dem MP, at leechj@parliament.uk or on (0161) 434 3334.

John Leech MP to champion Sustrans' campaign for safer streets in Manchester.

South Manchester Liberal Democrat MP John Leech has become a champion for Sustrans’ Campaign for Safer Streets, supporting the right of every child to have a safe walk, bike or scoot to school.

John Leech MP said today:

“In Manchester, Lib Dems proposed the 20’s Plenty speed limit in residential areas, and I am supporting this Sustrans’ campaign because every child has the right to a safe walk, bike or scoot to school,”

John, who last year submitted a road safety bill in the House of Commons, added,

“Walking, cycling or scooting to school is a great way to include physical activity in a child’s daily routine, while building healthy habits for a lifetime. If we can create an environment where children can have an active and safe journey to school, we’ll not only prevent needless and tragic road incidents, but also improve public health, reduce air pollution and reduce road congestion.”

Sustrans is campaigning for a safer school run to tackle the inactivity crisis and predictions that in the UK as many as 70% of girls and 55% of boys could be overweight or obese by 2050.

Yet with nearly half of children failing to achieve the recommended levels of physical activity each day, the number of families choosing to make the school run by car is on the rise. Little wonder when in 2012, 33 children were killed and over 1800 seriously injured while walking and cycling.

Sustrans’ Campaign for Safer Streets is calling for:

·         Dedicated funding to transform routes and invest in walking and cycling at the local level

·         20mph default speed limit across built up areas – makes everyone’s route safer

·         Stronger duties and incentives on Local Authorities to develop routes and promote walking and cycling 

 Details of John’s Road Safety Bill can be found at http://johnleechmp.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/road-safety-bill/

Details of the 20’s plenty campaign can be found at http://victorchamberlain.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/manchester-say-twenty-is-plenty.html?spref=tw
and http://victorchamberlain.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/use-airport-windfall-money-to-implement.html?spref=tw

Join Sustrans’ Campaign for Safer Streets at www.sustrans.org.uk/safetoschool

Sustrans is the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. It’s time we all began making smarter travel choices. Make your move and support Sustrans today.www.sustrans.org.uk

Chorlton's Village Tandoori Makes Regional Final of Tiffin Cup 2014

Following a nomination from local MP John Leech, the Village Tandoori in Chorlton has made the regional finals of the prestigious Tiffin Cup.

The Tiffin Cup is awarded every year by the Tiffin Club of MP’s. Formed in 2006 and chaired by Keith Vaz MP, the aim is not only to celebrate and applaud the quality of South Asian food in the Britain, but also to raise much needed money for charity. This year’s charity is “World Vision”

http://www.worldvision.org.uk/

John Leech MP said today,

“The curry industry is incredibly important to Manchester and the UK. It is worth £3.6bn and employs 80,000.  I am happy that the Village Tandoori has made the regional finals, wish them the best of luck and will be there to support them in the House of Commons if they make the grand final on the 8^th July.

Tiffin Club Chair Keith Vaz MP added,

“After the overwhelming success of last year’s competition we are looking forward to another chance to sample some of the best offerings of Indian food in Britain. I wish the Village Tandoori the best of luck in the competition."