In Parliament

Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, has backed a call by Margot James, MP for Stourbridge, for the courts to impose the severest-possible penalties against the Oxford gang that exploited young and vulnerable girls.

Following the Home Secretary’s statement to the House of Commons on the case of Abu Qatada, Margot James welcomes moves to reduce the layers of appeal available to foreign criminals fighting deportation.

Margot James questions the Government about what can be done to increase the number of girls choosing a career in engineering.

Select Committee

Evidence was heard from Paul Coxhead, Chief Executive of Logistics Apprenticeship Training Agency in the West Midlands and John Hayes MP, the Minister of State for Further Education.

Evidence was heard from Paula Vennells, Chief Executive, Post Office Ltd, and George Thomson, General Secretary, National Federation of Sub Postmasters.

The Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee met on 26th April to take further evidence on apprenticeships.

Proud of Stourbridge

Margot James has welcomed the Prime Minister’s comments on Dudley’s approach to caring for people with dementia.

Margot James has congratulated Apni Zaroorat Community Network, a community organization in Stourbridge, on receiving £10,000 in funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

Margot James has congratulated Leaps and Bounds Trust Ltd, a Stourbridge community organisation, on receiving £9,800 in funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

16th July 2012

Francis Maude, Cabinet Office Minister, accompanied by Margot James MP, visited Base Studios in Stourbridge to learn more about skills training and business start ups in the music industry.

Warren Evans, Base Studios CEO, presented plans and space that will create a hub for young entrepreneurs in the Black Country. A large warehouse space off Rufford Road will be divided in to cheap to rent studio facilities, with common services, and access to Base management expertise.

Francis Maude said, "I have heard a lot about Base Studios from Margot and our visit more than lived up to my expectations. Stourbridge has a great heritage in music and the performing arts, and Base Studios are now taking that further by training young people to develop their interests and talents to take advantage of the many career opportunities that exist in this vital sector."

Base Studios have recently won a £600,000 contract from the Black Country Skills Partnership to provide training in production, technology and sound engineering to young people not currently in training, education and employment

Margot added, "I am so glad that Francis made time to visit Base Studios during his recent visit to the Black Country. I am very proud of our music heritage in Stourbridge and tremendously impressed by what Base Studios have achieved in just five years. There is a great deal more to come and I look forward to playing a part in the future of Bass and all the young people who benefit from the training and facilities they provide."

Photo: Francis Maude, Margot James and Warren Evans, Base Studios CEO, looking over plans for the new hub.

Francis Maude, Margot James and Warren Evans, Base Studios CEO, looking over plans for the new hub