Here’s my latest column for the Ham and High – also available on Lib Dem Voice

The Liberal Democrats in Government have helped businesses create over one million jobs. Now we are working to create one million more!

Work is so important to individuals and families in the UK. It pays the bills, gives us purpose and fulfilment, and provides security for our long term futures.

I was so happy when I got my first job with a small design and advertising company in the West End – and my first pay packet. I remember feeling so grown up as I caught the tube to work along with the rest of the world. That sense of a daily somewhere to be and something to do has always been incredibly important to me – as it is to everyone.

Work is particularly important for young people leaving school or university. I regularly visit schools in the local area – and am always so pleased to see youngsters with such ambition and enthusiasm. We should be doing all we can to give them the best chance to succeed – which will benefit our economy too.

But – it’s not long since youth unemployment was rising fast under Labour, leaving so many young people without the opportunity to get on in life.

That’s why creating more jobs – particularly for young people – during these tough economic times is top of the Lib Dem’s list of priorities.

The million jobs we have helped create span a number of different industries. We’ve supported industries such as manufacturing by investing £5.5bn extra into science, high-tech manufacturing and renewable energy – in turn creating thousands of new jobs. £15.3bn has been invested into creating building jobs, which will improve Britain’s roads, railways and housing.

Our strategy is working. On top of the million more private sector jobs, youth unemployment is down. Here in Hornsey and Wood Green, youth unemployment has fallen by over a quarter from May 2010 to now.

Overall unemployment in the constituency is also down from 5.2% to 4.5%.

That means hundreds more people in this constituency have been employed since the Lib Dems entered the Coalition Government!

There has also been great success with apprenticeships. In Hornsey and Wood Green alone, 530 new apprenticeships have been created – so now there are three times as many apprentices as 2010!

In order to create a million more jobs for a stronger economy, we are turning our attention to these apprenticeships, and looking to continue the great work. In short – we want to double the number of businesses that take on apprentices.

I am planning on holding an event in the constituency, which will attempt to match up potential employers with apprentices, helping more of our local youngsters get in to work.

Everyone can get involved in this. Just visit the campaign website at www.amillionjobs.org to register your support for our national campaign for more apprenticeships, and to find out more information.

Here’s my most recent Muswell Flyer Article on supporting our local high streets

One of the best features of Crouch End, Highgate and Muswell Hill are their unique high streets. Instead of endless chain stores, we have a rich range of diverse independent shops, which add so much character to our local area – and I want to keep it that way!

We are going through tough economic times, and without the support of multinational head offices, many of our independent retailers are struggling.

The Labour-run Council hasn’t helped, either. They’ve raised parking charges on the high streets to a whopping £3 an hour – which puts off potential customers who want to stop and browse. One local resident contacted me and said: “I do not shop on the high streets in Highgate and Muswell Hill because of the ridiculous parking rates.”

A local independent retailer also contacted me and said: “I run 3 shops which have suffered badly from the huge increase in parking charges.”

That’s why the Lib Dems have been campaigning for reduced parking charges and for 30 minutes free parking across the Borough. The campaign has gained a great deal of momentum. The traders had already put together a 5000 strong petition calling for lower charges.

We now have a very large number of signatures in support of 30 minutes free parking. You can add your name here: http://eepurl.com/tvXkH.

Residents have been vocal in their support. Local resident Denis Jones said: ‘I feel that it would help trade in the Broadway. If there was 30 min free parking I would use the shops instead of going to free parking trading estates.’

The ruling Labour Group at Haringey Council remain stubborn. They have refused to change their parking charges to date. It is such a shame that they will not listen to residents and common sense arguments. Local residents and retailers really deserve better.

Nonetheless, the Lib Dems and I will carry on campaigning and pushing the Council to do more to help our local independent shops and high streets.

In other news – I have also been running a competition in my constituency to find the best local independent shops. The voting has now closed, but the results still have to be announced.

This will happen on Saturday 29^th June (from 11am – 3pm) at a summer fete style event on the forecourt of Hornsey Town Hall. There will also be a draw to see which lucky voter will win £100 to spend in the shop they voted for.

A number of our favourite shops and community groups have already agreed to have a stall and exhibit at the event, and there will also be games and face painting for children, snacks, music and picnic space.

This will be a fantastic community event, which will help promote and publicise many of our best independent stores. I hope to see as many of you there as possible!