News

The National Apprenticeship Service will provide up to 5,000 Apprenticeship Grants for Employers of 16 and 17 year olds (AGE 16 and 17) with a value of £2,500 to encourage employers to take on unemployed 16-17 year olds as apprentices.

The Government last week made a welcome announcement for pleural plaque sufferers.

Joan was delighted to welcome the Health Secretary Andy Burnham to officially open the new Middleport Health Centre. Joan accompanied the Secretary of State, along with NHS Stoke-on-Trent’s Chief Executive Graham Urwin, on a tour of the state of the art centre.

Joan went to Burslem Port to congratulate the work that has been done to finish the cleaning of Burslem Port. Joan presented certificates to the trainees from Project Management from the Burslem Port Project together with Stoke-on-Trent city Council, Inland Revenue and British Waterways.

Joan was delighted to catch up recently with Desiree Elliott, Chair of Stoke Angling For Everyone (SAFE) and a couple of its young members. Joan is patron of SAFE and was pleased at the end of last year to present the Stoke Youth Wards at SAFE’s presentation evening.

Joan is continuing with her support for the campaign to keep the Staffordshire Anglo-Saxon Hoard in Staffordshire. Joan visited the hoard on display at the Potteries Museum and is continuing to support the campaign to secure the treasure in Staffordshire.

Joan visiting the new Chief Fire Officer for an update on the new captial investment in Staffordshire Fire Service, which will bring new facilities to Sandyford, Burslem and Kidsgrove.

Free fitness sessions, including boxing lessons at Knockout Boxing & Fitness, Unit 6, Bellerton Lane, Norton. Every Friday, starting Friday between 7pm and 9pm.

Joan would like constituents to know about the free weekly local walks in the constituency in March. The Closer to home Circular Walks are organised by Federation of Stadium Communities, in conjunction with Change 4 Life and NHS Stoke-on-Trent. AgeConcern also have Aging Well Walks and, Brighter Future & Changes run Wellness Walks.

Joan asks the Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions what support Jobcentre Plus provides for jobseekers under the Future Jobs Fund.