Catching up with constituents

During the recess of Parliament last week it was great to be at home – despite the wind and rain. It was a great chance to catch up with a wide range of constituents in both one-to-one meetings in my advice surgeries or at their places of work around the constituency, so here is a quick gallop through a few of my meetings.

Supporting local employers is always a top priority. Like many people, I am dismayed at the legacy of growing unemployment for young people. I am pleased that the new apprenticeships the coalition is funding are making a difference to local businesses and young people. During my visit to Falmouth Marine School, I learnt that all the young people who have completed their excellent courses in marine engineering and decided to pursue a career in this area have done just that. Fugro Seacore, a world-leading local engineering company, is growing and employing more apprentices who usually go on to full-time employment in a range of marine engineering roles. Last year it recruited 40 or so new employees to support new contracts like the one signed last week for seabed fixings for a marine power installation in Scotland.

I very much enjoyed visiting GE Money in Truro. While most private enterprise in Cornwall is home-grown, it is good to have some multi- nationals that provide a career structure which links people working in Truro to the rest of the world. I was impressed with the company's practical activities that are enabling members of staff to improve their own health with good eating, exercise and taking part in community activities such as beach-cleans.

I was pleased to meet the team from Natural England to learn more about their important work in the South West, and no week is complete without a visit to Falmouth Docks, this time to meet union representatives at A&P Falmouth and a quick visit to RFA Mounts Bay.

There was good news at my meeting with Andy Brigden and the maritime team at Cornwall Council, as the Environment Agency has approved the funding for the flood defence works for Truro. I was very pleased to learn about the proposed Newham BID (Business Improvement District) and will continue to support the development of this important part of Truro.

I very much appreciated the time the management team at Tremough gave me to update me on developments at both UCF (University College Falmouth) and Exeter University. These are challenging times for both partners as the recent investments in the campus are moving off the drawing board on to the building sites. 

While the next 18 months will see a real boost to local construction jobs, the long-term benefits for both students and local businesses are exciting.

Graduates of UCF are employed by some of the fastest- growing sectors in the UK economy: fashion, design and the digital economy.

Finally, as patron of the Falmouth Memory Café I was delighted to spend an hour joining in the warm, friendly atmosphere of the café as well as enjoying a delicious home-made tea. The thoughtful afternoon's activities prepared by the volunteers were enjoyed by the guests and carers alike.