Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that a record number of places are available for the company’s 2019 apprenticeship programme.

This week, to mark Holocaust Memorial day, I had the honour of welcoming Simon Gronowski and members of his family to Parliament.

In today’s world the route to the workplace seems to have settled into a rather predictable format with a growing number young people finishing school, heading to university and then onto work – but is it worth it?

The weekend before the meaningful vote I was in West Wittering Village Hall holding an open meeting. The meeting was slightly different to my previous ones as it was dominated almost entirely by two subjects; the A27 and of course Brexit.

The New Year has begun although in Westminster many of the political tensions have carried over from 2018. Now we are all back from Christmas recess, the debates on our Withdrawal from the EU are starting and MPs and the public have a lot to say on the issue.

GRADUATES could be given tax cuts to help win back millions of young voters who have abandoned the Conservatives.

Senior government figures are understood to be studying proposals for a “tax cashback” of 50p for every pound repaid by the two million graduates toward their student fees.

I have really enjoyed the build up to Christmas this year. In Westminster I was part of the choir for the annual Singing for Syrians concert, which saw me singing in front of 500 people to raise awareness and money for those caught in the conflict in Syria.

I really enjoyed visiting the Chichester Free School who are finally housed in their wonderful new and restored buildings. I toured the facilities which are lovely and spacious, with all mod cons being put to good use enriching the educational experience for pupils.

As the countdown to Christmas begins our thoughts turn to shopping and what special gifts we can buy for our family. In today’s world of online shopping and large retail parks it is easy to overlook the small independent retailer.

World AIDS Day on December 1st 2018 is a chance for all of us to focus on what we can individually do to help eradicate AIDS across the world. Everyone will probably have a different personal reason for wanting this campaign to be a success. I have a very personal one that’s close to home.