New data shows that 600 Apprenticeships have been delivered in Bedford & Kempston in the last year, up 70% on the previous year.

Richard, who recently visited Ultra Precision Engineering in Kempston, where they have just taken on two new apprentices from the Bedford Training Group, said that the record rise in apprenticeship numbers shows commitment to helping employers train the skilled workers they need to build a stronger, growing economy. He added that companies like Ultra Precision Engineering are providing a vital role in skills development.

He was also delighted with the Government’s announcement that it will offer cash bonuses to employers for taking on an apprentice aged between 16 and 24 and urges companies in Bedford and Kempston to take up this opportunity.

For more information on apprenticeships, please visit this link.

Richard and Cllr Caroline Fensome with founders Karen Fryc and Sam Price

Richard met with the founders of the Castle Quarter initiative, Karen Fryc and Sam Price, last Friday to discuss their plans for the east side of Bedford.

Karen & Sam talked through their manifesto for Castle Quarter, the area in and around the Embankment, St Cuthbert’s, Castle Road and Mill Street which is aiming to celebrate and promote the quarter to attract people from outside the town to visit.

Richard said:

“My views are completely aligned with what the Castle Quarter group are trying to achieve. A few years ago, I wrote to the then Mayor, Frank Branston, about the town centre redevelopment suggesting that Bedford needed a unique offering that reflected the special characteristics of the town and that we should promote area clusters with their own special identities. This is precisely what Castle Quarter is trying to achieve.

“In tough economic times, with family budgets tight, we need to nurture and support our local shops. Castle Quarter is a great step forward and a model the rest of the town can follow.”

Richard has welcomed today’s announcement that disabled people living in residential care will continue to receive the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and its proposed successor, the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The government had proposed to remove the mobility component of DLA from October 2012. Richard, who has campaigned on this issue for over a year, said he was delighted that since he first raised the issue in Parliament in November 2010, the Minister has taken the time to listen and consult to reach this decision, which allows disabled people in residential homes to maintain their independence.

As part of the listening exercise carried out by Maria Miller MP, Minister for Disabled People, Richard arranged for her to meet with a Bedford constituent, who had the chance to discuss the impact the removal of the mobility component would have on her son.  

The Government’s decision sends a signal that it will continue to protect our most vulnerable members of society, despite the difficult economic challenges we face. Richard thanked the Bedford residents that had contacted him, as well as the Minister for meeting with him on several occasions and listening to the strong arguments put forward by his constituents.

Richard Fuller has welcomed Tuesday’s announcement by the Chancellor that funding for East West Rail will be made available.

In a powerful Autumn Statement, which focused on supporting growth while maintaining the budget discipline that keeps our interest rates low, the Chancellor announced that a new East West Rail link will go ahead.

Restoring the rail link between Bedford and Oxford (via Milton Keynes) is the key first step in the East West rail project, which ultimately aims to add Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich to the line, and is supported by MPs from all along the proposed route. The project forms part of the Government’s investment in infrastructure to boost growth, and will create 12,000 new jobs in the region.

“Future increases in fuel duty should be reconsidered to help family budgets” was the message in Parliament from Richard Fuller this week. A parliamentary debate had been called asking for fairer prices at the pumps, after over 100,000 people had signed an e-petition asking for the topic to be discussed.

Richard said that it was unacceptable to force through further rapid increases in duty when the average family budget is already under pressure. Richard said: “The Coalition government needs to be fairer to motorists than the last government and with 10 percent of family budgets going on petrol, stopping further increases would be a major help.”

Earlier this week, Richard lent his support for investment in the East West Rail link, arguing that it would give a lift to job creation in Bedford and Kempston. The debate was called to urge the government to set aside £250m for the Bedford to Oxford link in the 2014-19 rail plans.

Richard commented: “A regular fast rail service to Oxford, linked with a direct route to Central Milton Keynes, will reinforce Bedford’s position as a natural hub for the rail network, further improving our attractiveness for new businesses and bringing more, local jobs.”

The announcement of the Olympic Torch’s route to London 2012 has now been made, and I am delighted to hear that the torch relay will be coming through Bedford.

I am pleased that LOCOG has recognised the diversity and sporting importance of our town, and that the residents of Bedford and Kempston will be able to share in this great festival.

So, make a note in your diaries that Sunday 8th July will be the day the Olympics comes to Bedford!

LOCOG are now looking for ‘local leaders’ to get friends, family and neighbours together to celebrate the torch relay and to organise local events. Please visit London 2012 Local Leaders to sign up

Richard opened the Diwali Festival of Light recently, welcoming a large crowd of people to Harpur Square in Bedford town centre. The event, which was organised by the Bedford Council of Faiths, celebrated the multicultural success of the town.

The day started with a procession through town and was followed by music and dance performances from the town’s cultural groups, as well as food tasting and a competition among local restaurants to find the best dish in town.

A new, local initiative aimed at invigorating the economic recovery by investing in a new generation of start up and early stage businesses is planned for Bedford. One hundred local business leaders from Bedford attended the launch by MP, Richard Fuller at the University of Bedfordshire.

The proposed Fund, which will be advised by local business leaders and managed by South East Fund Managers Limited, an FSA regulated entity, will seek to raise an initial fund of £500,000 in units of £10,000.

This will be boosted by co-investment from Finance South East and national government schemes, with a potential total of £2 million.  Investments will be made on a purely commercial basis, with the goal of maximizing financial returns to investors.

The initiative has the active support of Cranfield University, Colworth Science Park on the Unilever campus, the University of Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire on Sunday.

An advisory panel of local business people will be formed, with Nick Kier, partner, Lane & Holmes and Dougie Hunter, Chief Executive, Aircraft Research Association Limited, leading the effort.

Richard said:

“Bedford and the surrounding area have a wealth of business opportunities. This initiative aims to bring together all the local experience and talent of current business owners in order to inspire and support the next generation of businesses and provide the investment they need to prosper.  Feedback from the folks at the meeting was encouraging and we are off to a good start with indications of interest already for half our target for the Fund.”

Dougie Hunter, Chief Executive of ARA Limited added:

“I am very happy to play a part in moving this initiative forward and I look forward to meeting the challenge of putting together an advisory panel of business leaders to help with the Fund.”

Sally Goodsell, Chief Executive of the FSE Group said:

“We are very pleased to be involved with this unique initiative led by Richard Fuller and the Business Community of Bedford. We look forward to backing innovative ambitious businesses in the Bedford area and playing a part in their growth and success”.

A business mentoring scheme is also proposed asking local business people to share their expertise with the entrepreneurs and business leaders of tomorrow and strengthening businesses in difficult economic times.

Richard said:

“A leading reason why early stage businesses fail is because they make a small mistake which they could have avoided with some advice from someone with experience.  Business executives have limited time, but do have a personal and commercial interest in promoting success of the next generation of business leaders. The mentoring scheme will make this expertise available for those who can benefit from it.”

For more information on the fund please contact Sally Goodsell at Finance South East (sally.goodsell@financesoutheast.com).

For more information on the mentoring scheme please contact Richard (richard.fuller.mp@parliament.uk).

Richard presented awards to two local schools at Tesco on Riverfield Drive, Bedford, as part of the 10^th anniversary of the ‘Tesco for Schools and Clubs’ initiative.

The Hills Lower School and Hazeldene Lower School – where Richard was a formal pupil – were represented by children and teachers from the schools, who were awarded goodies by Richard, on behalf of Tesco, to take back to the classroom. Vouchers were collected by the schools, parents and children and then exchanged for equipment, such as digital cameras, to be used across the school curriculum.

Richard Fuller, MP for Bedford and Kempston, has welcomed the news of improved GCSE results from Bedford Borough’s Upper schools.

Richard said:
“I congratulate the improved performance of schools in Bedford and Kempston at GCSE on the key standard of 5+ GSCEs at grades A* to C, including Maths and English, and in particular the strong double digit improvements at Hastingsbury, Mark Rutherford and Wootton and the strong improvement at Bedford Academy, continuing its progress for four consecutive years.

“I also congratulate the students for all their achievements and hard work over the last two years and wish them all the best for their futures.”