South Shropshire MP and former Health Minister Philip Dunne has thanked local NHS staff and made clear his view that the NHS has a bright future, as the service celebrates its 70th birthday.

Stoke-on-Trent City Councillor Jack Brereton has been selected to stand in the Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election on 23 February.

Unemployment remains at the joint lowest rate for over ten years – down nearly 900,000 since 2010 – according to the latest set of labour market figures out today.

Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has welcomed the news that employment across the UK continues to run at a record high, the unemployment rate has fallen to an 11-year low, and that according to the figures announced on 16 November, there are 257,000 more people back in work in the We

South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has welcomed figures showing new businesses in the Ludlow Constituency have benefited from over a quarter of million pounds of investment by the Start Up Loans Company.

Congratulations to Anthea McIntyre MEP on being appointed Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party with responsibility for Training and will focus on making improvements to the training provided for the voluntary party including activists and young people. The Prime Minister has also appointed her to the Party Board.

Conservative Peter Tomlinson has won the Ombersley Division on Worcestershire County Council, keeping the seat blue after the death of Councillor Maurice Broomfield.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that more people are in work than ever before and wages are still rising – good news for Britain’s families.

Robin Walker, Worcester’s MP has written to the Chancellor to express his support for a national living wage and a higher income tax threshold as the best way to help working families rather than the complex and expensive system of tax credits that was introduced by Gordon Brown. MPs rejected Labour’s motion in the Commons to cancel tax credit changes yesterday after it emerged this would create a multi-billion pound black hole in public finances threatening spending on the NHS and schools. 

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has welcomed the news that two new free schools have been approved in his Rugby constituency, helping to create more valuable school places and provide more choice for parents.