Monthly Bulletin - January 2016

Henry Smith MP, Crawley Bulletin, January 2016

Improving life chances

This month the Prime Minister spoke about improving the life chances of young people across our country. Nationally, the Careers & Enterprise Company will be spearheading a campaign to encourage business people and professionals to volunteer as mentors to support young people who are not fulfilling their potential, or at risk of dropping out of education.

In Crawley, I am organising an Apprenticeship & Jobs Fair which takes place at the Civic Hall on 4th March 2016, from 10am to 3pm.

This event is of free of charge to all jobseekers, and is being organised to provide opportunities to meet and speak with key local employers. Among organisations who will be in attendance are Jace Training, Positive Outcomes, Autism Sussex and the British Army.

For more information, please visit: www.crawleyjobsfair.co.uk

Columns

Our democracy: I am always pleased to speak with local students about Parliament and the democratic process. For more information please visit: www.parliament.uk/education

Protecting young people online: Welcoming Government plans to protect young people from dangers including cyber-bullying and radicalisation. For information from the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), please visit: http://bit.do/UKCCIS

Strike laws: Standing up for hard-working people by making changes to thresholds for when strikes can take place in education, border security, health, fire, transport, and nuclear decommissioning sectors.

Preview of 2016: At the start of the month I took a look at the year ahead, including National Citizen Service, Help to Buy support and Crawley Hospital.

Looking back on 2015: Reviewing last year – which included support for Save the Children, ensuring English Votes for English Laws, and the honour of being re-elected as Member of Parliament for Crawley.

Other News

World Watch List: Attended a moving event organised by Open Doors. I am proud to support them and their inspirational work standing up for religious freedom around the world.

Forge Wood: Welcomed the Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis MP, to see homes being built in our town’s 14th neighbourhood.

Stay safe in winter: Urging people in Crawley not to go abroad without the right insurance.

Bowel Cancer UK: Supporting efforts to stop bowel cancer. If you’re worried about symptoms that might be caused by bowel cancer, or if you are sent a bowel screening kit, please use it as early diagnosis is vital. Symptoms include extreme tiredness for no obvious reason and unexplained weight loss.

Sight loss support: The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) are working with Blind Veterans UK to ensure that everyone diagnosed with sight loss receives practical and emotional support.

Please do not hesitate to let me know if I may be able to assist; either by writing to me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, calling 01293 934554, or via email directly at: [email protected]

To keep up to date with my various activities in Crawley and up in Westminster, please follow me via:

With my best wishes, as ever

Henry