Vital to keep investing in young people

BRIGHT FUTURE Alan Mak MP with Morelands Primary School pupils Lola Nutland and Ethan Harwood

As your local MP, my top priorities include supporting our schools and colleges, and promoting jobs and good careers for all.

I’ve already visited every local secondary school and sixth form, and I’m now well into my schedule of visiting primary schools.

Last Friday, I spent a morning at Morelands Primary School, Crookhorn Lane speaking to pupils, staff and governors.

I especially enjoyed addressing the whole school assembly and my tour with school council chairman Lola Nutland and vice-chairman Ethan Harwood.

It’s a great school, combining high academic expectations with a broad range of extra-curricular activities like cooking, sport, and exploration of the outdoors through their Forest Friday initiative.

An inspiring example of local excellence and investment in our young people.

Investing in local people also means helping them to put their skills into practice. So I was delighted to welcome student journalists, including my constituents, from Highbury College to Westminster. They said it was an eye-opening and engaging insight into Parliament, whilst keeping me on my toes as they grilled me with their questions.

Later in the week, I visited South Downs College to discuss plans for my Small Business Awards. More details in the News in the coming weeks, but in the meantime have a think about who your favourite local café, restaurant, tradesman or pub is.

With schools and colleges such as Morelands and South Downs giving our young people the strongest of starts in life, it’s vital that our investment in the future doesn’t stop there.

That’s why I am organising the first Havant jobs and apprenticeships fair for local residents of all ages and backgrounds.

Join me at Warblington School, Southleigh Road, Havant on Friday, February 19 anytime from 10am-4pm. Entry and parking are free.

A wide range of local businesses will offer exciting jobs and apprenticeships, whilst experts will also be on hand with careers and CV advice. Visit alanmak.org.uk for more details.

I’ve launched a new e-mail newsletter for residents. Please sign up via my website to stay in touch with my work. Thanks to residents for all of your continuing support and enjoy the rest of your week.