I am proud that our area is leading the way once again
WE recently marked one year since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the impact of this is felt across the world. I take heart in the way the UK and, more importantly, our community has responded.
Post-pandemic and with the war still going on, times are tough for a lot of families and business across the country. Growing the economy, halving inflation – which will ease the cost of living – and reducing debt are three of the Prime Minister’s top priorities, which I discussed with him during a meeting earlier this year.
There’s a lot of work still to do, but I’ve been really encouraged to see there are a record number of employees on payrolls across the
UK. Across Bosworth 2.6% of people aged 16-64 (compared to the national average of 3.7%) are claiming unemployment benefits.
Speaking of jobs and employment, last month we found out that not only is Leicestershire a Net Zero economy hotspot, which is fantastic news for our community as it brings thousands of jobs – where the average wage is £42,600 compared to the national average of £33,400 – but Bosworth stands out as an area of particularly high activity! I am proud that our area is leading the way once again on advanced manufacturing, highly paid jobs and research and development.
I have also been pleased to see more than 10,960 apprenticeships and traineeships have been created in Bosworth since 2010! One of my promises to our community is to enhance skills, education and opportunities which is why I am continuing to raise the Apprenticeship Levy with Ministers and ensure that red tape isn’t holding local businesses back from employing local people in high paying industries.
Recently the fourth edition of the Household Support Fund was announced and I welcomed a further £7,240,078 for vulnerable households across Leicestershire. This is making a huge difference to residents across Hinckley and Bosworth.
The Government have been supporting households and businesses with cost of living pressures since
Russia’s war drove up energy prices. Assistance so far includes the winter £400 energy bill grant for all households, £900 for the most vulnerable (this will be split into three payments throughout 2023/24), an increase in the National Living Wage to £10.42 per hour and a commitment to keep in place the pensions triple lock, which I lobbied the Chancellor for last year, while uplifting the state pension by 10%.
If you need help accessing any of this support, please contact either the Job Centre Plus in the Hinckley Hub, Citizens Advice Hinckley and Bosworth or my office (by emailing luke.evans.mp@parliament.uk) and we will point you in the right direction.