As Parliament is about to reconvene after August I’ve been looking ahead at just a few of the issues that will come up in the months ahead.
One of the measures announced in the recent Summer Budget is the Youth Obligation. From 2017, 18-21 year olds on Universal Credit will participate in a period of support at the start of their benefit claim. After six months, they’ll then be expected to either apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship, gain workplace skills, or go on a work placement.
Jobcentre Plus advisers and support will also be made available in schools in England, to compliment careers advice and provide additional routes into work experience, apprenticeships and traineeships.
In September I will be meeting with the Education Secretary alongside other West Sussex Members of Parliament about improving support for local schools. This is an issue I continue to liaise with Crawley headteachers on, and I am looking forward to raising issues directly with the Secretary of State.
Turning to local transport matters; Highways England have confirmed that there are currently four schemes in place to resurface the M23 between junctions 10 and 11 with noise reducing tarmac. Schemes to resurface the northbound carriageway are planned to be completed by the end of this financial year.
The resurfacing of the southbound carriageway is planned for 2016-17. The Department for Transport have confirmed that Highways England are looking to ensure whether all sections can be completed by March 2016 – I have gone back to them to ask for assurances that this happens.
After much discussion, I was pleased to see the first of 115 new Thameslink trains arrive at the new rail depot in Three Bridges. There it will begin testing, ahead of further examination through journeys along the Brighton main line, before carrying passengers for the first time next year.
This will ensure more 12-carriage services running, compared to the eight carriages that many existing services have. There will also be additional seating capacity during rush hour – welcome news for commuters such as myself!
Throughout the current summer holidays I’m still on hand to assist. If you have any issues or concerns you would like to raise, please either write to me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, call my office on 01293 934554, or email me directly at: henry.smith.mp@parliament.uk