A few days after the Chancellor made announcements in the Autumn Statement to help families and small businesses,

George Osborne has visited Watford to see how schemes to help young people into jobs are working and how Government investment in Watford is making a difference. George Osborne Visits Watford

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, visited Watford's new Morrisons store to discuss apprenticeship and training, as well as the boost to youth employment announced in this years Autumn Statement. I joined the Chancellor on the visit as he met with Morrisons employees aged under 21 and discussed their backgrounds and aspirations. Many of the young people explained that they had secured positions thanks to schemes such as Our Club supported by Morrisons and Watford Jobcentre Plus, and the National Citizenship Schemes run by organisations including Herts Fire Rescue Service and Watford Football Club. The visit followed last weeks announcement that employers national insurance contributions for under 21s will be scrapped, meaning there will no longer be a jobs tax for 1.5 million workers under the age of 21. Removing the tax looks set to provide a huge boost to employment opportunities for young people across the country. In Watford youth unemployment has dropped by more than 35% over the last year. The Chancellor welcomed this and also praised initiatives such as my annual Jobs Fair for helping link employers with those who are seeking new opportunities. There is still work to do and the tax changes announced in the Autumn Statement will help. The Chancellor went on to say we have fantastic opportunities here in Watford which is great to see, but I am determined not to leave any young people behind which is why getting rid of this jobs tax and enabling more employment is so important. The training available for the young people whom I have met today is really encouraging, as is the passion for apprenticeships; its

all about ensuring they have the real help that they need to take those opportunities.

Helping Families The Chancellor's visit to Watford came days after the Autumn Statement which introduced measures to help families during these difficult financial times which included:

Freezing fuel duty until 2015. Fuel duty will be frozen until the end of this Parliament. Freezes made so far mean that price of fuel will be 20p per litre cheaper than it would have been 50 off energy bills. New measures will mean households will save an average of 50 off their energy bills. Freeze on rail fares. Average fare increases will have a limited cap in 2014. Capping total welfare spending. The cap will mean no family on benefits will receive more than the average family income. The basic state pension will not be included in the cap. Free school meals. All pupils in reception and years 1 and 2 of primary school will receive free school lunches.

Helping Small Businesses

I supported Small Business Saturday last weekend, an initiative run by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, to encourage people to support the small businesses in their

community. Over the weekend I visited Simon East's butchers in Abbots Langley, Carpenders Park Garden Centre and joined a business advice session in Watford Market run by Link4growth Small Business Saturday took place days after the Autumn Statement in which the Chancellor introduced significant help for small businesses including

Capping the increase in business rates Extending the small business rate relief New 1,000 rate allowance for retail premises Taking 2,000 off every businesses National Insurance Bill

In addition the further freeze on fuel duty and the removal of National Insurance Contributions for under 21s will help businesses keep going and growing. These changes will be welcome in Watford where high business rates have been a concern for many local businesses and will also help encourage new businesses into empty retail space on the high street and other shopping areas. Over the last 3 years I have been calling on local and national Government to provide more support for small business including holding a Parliamentary debate on British Retail earlier in the year. I supported Small Business Saturday, an initiative run by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, to encourage people to support the small businesses in their community. Over the weekend I visited a butchers in Abbots Langley, Carpenders Park Garden Centre and joined a business advice session in Watford Market run by Link4growth.