Hello Unemployment in Watford has fallen significantly according to figures released this week, but there is still a long

way to go. For all those still looking, or for people thinking about a change in career, the Watford Jobs Fair has hundreds of jobs on offer from local companies. In the News * Watford Jobs Fair Latest * New Maternity Service Opens at Watford General * Watford Companies to Trade with China * Can You Help Watford FC Trust? * Out and About in Watford

Jobs Fair 2013 - Coming Soon The next Watford Jobs Fair is now only just over a week away, on Thursday 27th June, 10am to 4pm. On the day visitors have the chance to * Meet with over 60 local employers and organisations offering 100s of jobs, apprenticeship and training opportunities * Get careers advice and one to one CV writing workshops * Attend seminars on how to find work and apply for jobs Whatever your current circumstances and what kind of job you are looking for there is something for everyone on the day. All are welcome to come to the Langley Banqueting Suites, Watford High Street on the day to see all the great things on offer. You can pre- register to get more information here: or emailjobsfair@richardharrington.org.uk or call 02072197180 Can You Help on the Day? We are looking for people to help out with the Jobs Fair, in a variety of different ways. You dont need to have any training or experience, just an hour or few to help support this community event. If you can join our team on the day please get in touch- jobsfair@richardharrington.org.uk

Your Chance to Visit Parliament A few spaces remain for the chance to join other Watford residents on a tour of Parliament this week. On Wednesday 19th June, Watford residents are invited to join a coach trip to Parliament, for the opportunity to learn more about how Parliament works on a day to day basis and have a tour of the historic building. The coach will be leaving from a North Watford location at 5.15pm and costs 8 per person, this is paid directly to the bus company. If you would like to take part please email Richard@richardharrington.org.uk If you cant make this tour there will be plenty more running throughout the year, with the coach leaving from different areas from Watford. Let me know if you would like to be informed when it is

coming to your area.

Watford Businesses to Trade with China Over 60 Watford companies attended an event to learn more about trading with China. I arranged this event to give local businesses the chance to find out about the great opportunities and support for companies to make the most of trade links with the booming Chinese economy. On the day businesses heard from experts from the China British Business Council and the UKTI and I look forward to continue to work with these organisation to help boost Watford companies in this way. During last week's Prime Ministers Questions I praised the work of the China British Business Council and their great work in supporting businesses in Watford and across the UK: Richard Harrington: Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating the China-Britain Business Council, which, under its inspirational vice-chairman, Mr Peter Batey, organised a seminar on exporting to China that was attended by more than 60 businesses in Watford last Friday? I think it should be congratulated on that initiative. Prime Minister: I am very happy to extend my praise to the China-Britain Business Council. If we look at the evidence of the past few years, there is now a significant increase in British exports to China, and a big increase in Chinese direct investment into the UK. All of that is welcome and we need to see it grow even further.

New Maternity Services at Watford General I was delighted to visit Watford General to open the new Alexandra Birthing Suite, made possible by funding from the Department of Health. Maternity services at the Hospital had been struggling to meet demand on their facilities, and following a visit to the Hospital from Health Minister Anna Soubry, the Department of Health provided over 500,000 of much needed money to support a new Birthing Suite. The new facilities are now up and running and Hospital chiefs and I were joined by the first Mum

to use the new service to formally open it. It is already making a big difference in offering state of the art care to Watford families.

Can You Help Support Watford FCs Watford Works? Watford FCs Community Sports and Education Trust in partnership with Camelot and Job Centre Plus are aiming to get Watfords young people back to work through the delivery of an innovative 4 week programme based at Watford FCs Vicarage Road Stadium. The programme includes a wide range of activities including team building exercises, interview techniques, meeting the experts, business enterprise and much more. What we they need are Watford businesses to come forward and offer a 1 day work placement to support these young adults, so whatever your business please do get in touch by contacting Lena Hatchett (Employment and Education Officer) on lena.hatchett@watfordfc.com<mailto:lena.hatchett@watfordfc.com> or 01923 496292. It is a brilliant organisation, placed to help so many young people, so if you or anyone you know may be interested in helping, please get involved.

Diary Over the last fortnight I have enjoyed some great visits out and about in Watford Sunshine Centre at Oxhey Early Years Centre I had heard lots of good things about the Centre and was delighted to see first hand the work they do in supporting young children and families. They have 2 new groups running: Toddler Group, Wednesdays 9.30- 11am, Beechen Grove Baptist Church, Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JJ Tums and Tinies, 1.30- 3.00pm St Johns Church, Sutton Road, Watford, WD17 2QQ For more information contact the centre on 01923 482842 or visit their website:http://www.hertschildrenscentres.org.uk/sunshine/ St Peters Primary School The school kindly invited me to join pupils in opening their new school Library. I really enjoyed meeting the pupils and staff at the school and looking at many of the books that I used to read with my sons (now a long time ago!) New Exhibition at DRUM

As a long term supporter of DRUM I was honoured to open their new Summer Exhibition based on Africa and the Caribbean. DRUM do fantastic work in helping rehabilitate disabled people through art and as always I was very impressed by the art displayed in the new exhibition.