This week marked National Apprenticeship Week, offering an opportunity to celebrate the important role that apprenticeships play across the constituency. 

In the 2024/25 academic year, more than 1,300 people started apprenticeships across the wider Warwick District.

Many of these were at companies such as National Grid, Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover – all of which offer globally competitive apprenticeship programmes – as well as an array of Warwick and Leamington-based companies. 

I firmly believe that apprenticeships provide fantastic opportunities here in Warwick and Leamington, giving people the skills they need advance their careers. However, equally, I know that options can often still be limited, and many who hope to start an apprenticeship are unable to do so. 

As such, I was pleased to hear the Minister for Work and Pensions announcing sweeping reforms to apprenticeships last week. Crucially, these changes include cutting the bureaucratic hurdles which deter many smaller businesses from taking on apprenticeships – not least the faintly ridiculous three year wait for new apprenticeship schemes to be approved. These changes are long overdue and should be a win-win for both businesses, who will be able to benefit more easily from local talent, and the apprentices, who will gain skills and experience. 

In the meantime, I encourage everyone – and particularly any young people considering options after school – to investigate the apprenticeship options which already exist. You might be surprised about the range of options that are available. 

On a different note, many of you will be aware of the protest that took place in Warwick on Saturday, organised by the far-right group 'Patriotic Alternative'. I found it genuinely chilling to see that some protestors were giving Nazi salutes, and others waving a flag in the form of a Swastika for the group calling itself 'Aryan Front'. It's appalling enough to see this happening 'somewhere else' on our phone and television screens, but quite another thing to witness it taking place in our town. It also sickens me to have to tell you that there were speeches urging for the forced deportation of any non-whites. 

Let's be absolutely clear here – these were not local people. They travelled to Warwick to stir up division and hatred. And so, some shops and market stalls remained shut, and many people stayed away from Warwick town centre altogether. For a few hours, our town centre was not ours. On top of this, I have heard that some individuals and businesses in our towns are being targeted online from those who have travelled in from afar. 

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Of course, I completely understand that many local people have concerns about immigration. That is entirely legitimate. What is not legitimate is people parading on the steps of Shire Hall, giving Nazi salutes and spewing racial hatred. 

And yet, despite all of this, I will end on a positive note. These protest organisers – racists and neo-Nazis – were far outnumbered by hundreds of counter-protestors who came out to resist those who were trying to divide us. People of all different political parties, jobs and life experiences came together to stand up against the hatred. This is the real Warwick. 

As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any issues or concerns you would like to raise with me. I can be reached at [email protected] or on 01926 882006.