Having had a brief, but extremely informative, role as Minister for Pensions in the Department for Work and Pensions, our new Prime Minister has moved me to the Cabinet Office, where I am now a Parliamentary Secretary.
The Cabinet Office is a great place to be, with a brief which covers everything from supporting collective government, managing the UK’s cyber security, and supporting the National Security Council, to promoting efficiency and overseeing political and constitutional reform.
The Cabinet Office role is very busy, but I still have time to spend in the constituency, visiting businesses, individuals and schools. The children of St Peter’s School in South Weald were very welcoming last week, although I was slightly flummoxed by the question from one child who asked “What colour are you?” I prepared for a conversation about diversity and inclusion, but then realised it was a query about which political party I was with, so could answer ‘True Blue’ without hesitation.
I was also very pleased to be able to explore the new Peri site in Warley, next to the A127, which provides timber, building supplies, scaffolding and formwork for the construction of some of the biggest buildings in London. It was extremely interesting to hear how the company has weathered the impact of Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, and how these factors have affected staffing, growth and the availability of birch ply.
My time as Minister for Skills leaves me with an ongoing interest in apprenticeships and training, and it was very good to hear how keen the people at Peri are to promote local apprenticeships and job opportunities for local workers.
Pictures of St Peter's Primary School in South Weald and Peri Construction in Great Warley.
