Over the Christmas season I have been looking ahead to what the next twelve months will hold.
Unemployment in Crawley continues to fall and now stands at 1.5 per cent. Local youth unemployment is currently at 1.6 per cent, a fall of more than half in the last two years.
Across the country, almost three quarters of the growth in employment over the last five years has been in full-time work.
However, having been unemployed in the past myself I am well aware more needs to be done.
This is why I’m organising the Crawley Apprenticeship and Jobs Fair at the Civic Hall on 4th March 2016 – please see information at: www.crawleyjobsfair.co.uk
Another initiative backing young people which I am pleased to support is National Citizen Service. This scheme was launched by the Prime Minister and as of this year has been delivered locally by the Crawley Town Community Foundation.
NCS helps 16 and 17 year olds become more confident and engaged in the local area, and the initiative has helped them to donate over three million hours of volunteering to their local communities across the UK.
The Community Foundation’s Spring 2016 programme starts on 28th March, and is supported by Crawley Town captain Sonny Bradley. For more information, please call calling 01233 600142 or email: ncs@crawleytownfc.com
The Help to Buy scheme has been helping people get on the housing ladder; 80 per cent of such purchases have been made by first-time buyers, more are expected in 2016 following the launch of the Help to Buy ISA a month ago. Information can be found at: www.helptobuy.gov.uk
Over the coming year more services are returning to Crawley Hospital with 26 additional beds, new facilities and extended urgent treatment provision. Nationally the NHS budget will receive an additional £2 billion.
My best wishes for the New Year. If I am able to assist in 2016 then please do not hesitate to contact me, either by calling my office on 01293 934554, writing to me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, or via email directly: henry.smith.mp@parliament.uk