Taking young people off benefits

Merry Hill saw my 9th annual jobs and skills fair, and the busiest one yet.

I continue my Dudley South Heroes series with Dawn Keeley — Dawn does a huge amount of volunteering with the Girlguides in Wall Heath.

Trevor runs a charity called "Santa's Black Country Toy Appeal".

Meet Stu Bratt, my next Dudley South Hero. Stu runs a local mental health charity for men called "Tough Enough To Care".

Hawbush Gardens is a real jewel in the community here in Brierley Hill. Ken Smith runs it — they use the space to grow fresh produce for local people and so much more.

I hosted a packed jobs fair at Merry Hill shopping centre and I’d like to thank every single business and organisation that took the time to come along and speak to local people.

At the start of the pandemic, GPs in Pensnett were moved to Brierley Hill and the High Oak Surgery became a Respiratory Assessment Centre. We need a permanent GP surgery back in Pensnett.

I’m really pleased to report that Dudley and the West Midlands currently have more job vacancies than before the pandemic.