I have had conversations with various stakeholders involved in our public transport network in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, one issue that kept coming up was the issue of insufficient numbers of bus drivers resulting in service cancellations and unreliability.
As a result of these discussions
Today I visited the National Composites Centre in Emersons Green, it is a world-leading facility which provides end-to-end engineering support for companies such as GKN, Rolls Royce, Airbus and Leonardo as well as small and medium size businesses such as LINEAT who are engaging in cutting-edge resea
Thanks to General Sir Richard Barrons for addressing the APPG for Sovereign Defence Manufacturing Capability. He emphasised the need to increase our defence manufacturing capability in order to continue supporting Ukraine and indeed to increase our own sovereign capability.
I have been working with SGS College to help organise the Careers Expo 2023 which offers a fantastic opportunity for students to interact with employers and apprenticeship providers, and universities.
Today I asked the Foreign Secretary if he is confident that we will continue to have the industrial capacity to maintain (and increase) our support to Ukraine, whilst maintaining our own diminishing stocks.
Today, I met with Liam and Sara-Jane at SGS College WISE Campus to discuss the difficulties students are having with bus services. I will meet with First Bus again and contact the West of England Mayor, who has responsibility in our area for bus services - to help work towards a solution.
To round off National Apprenticeship Week, it was fantastic to visit Amazon. I had a roundtable discussion with some of their apprentices and heard how they were progressing. It was a very upbeat meeting and Amazon are increasing their numbers of apprenticeships this year.
