Jon hosted an open Question and Answer Session at the Geeta Bhavan Temple to hear the views of his constituents.

The session, which was a public meeting open to all, was an opportunity for Leicester South residents to ask Jon their questions direct and allowed for open discussions on a number of different topics.

The public meeting mainly focused on the Government’s recent plans to introduce visitor visa bonds. Earlier in the week, newspaper reports suggested that the Government would introduce a pilot scheme forcing visitors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana to pay a £3,000 bond in order to qualify for a six month visa. Under the scheme, visitors would get their bond money back when they leave the UK and return to their home countries.

There was widespread concern about this issue at the meeting, and Jon will be raising these concerns with the Home Secretary.

Jon Ashworth MP visits the Saffron Lane Pre-Work Club to present certificates at the graduation event.

Jon said: “I was delighted to be asked to present certificates to local people who have completed the course. I was keen that a Work, or Job, Club was run from the Saffron Lane Estate and I have supported Phoenix Therapies with their innovative scheme.”

“The course ran by Phoenix Therapies is unique – combining confidence building with stress management and job search skills. It has been a very successful project with the progress of the local learners being outstanding.”

Out of the learners that have completed the 15 week course 30% have found employment, 60% have progressed to further study or voluntary placements and all have improved their mental well being, positivity and confidence.

Lainy Wills, one of the Directors of Phoenix Therapies, stated: “The Saffron Lane Pre-Work Club has been a tremendous success. Our uniquely holistic approach to teaching job search skills, confidence building and stress management has been a winning approach.”

The project was funded by the European Social Fund, and it is hoped that funding will be obtained to run the programme again.

Jon commented: “I hope that funding can be found to allow Phoenix Therapies to run further Pre-Work Clubs in the Saffron area. Unemployment is still increasing in my Constituency which is why jobs and measures to support the economy have always been my top priority, but this government refuses to change direction and admit that its economic policies are failing.”

Jon Ashworth, MP visited the St Matthews Sure Start centre today to present certificates to 16 to 24 years olds. The certificate presentation ceremony marked the end of a 10-week employability programme for young people, which trains young people to be ‘work ready’ and more employable.

Jon said: “I was pleased to present certificates to all those who completed the training course. Courses like this are so helpful in preparing young people for work, and it was great meeting all those who gained a qualification at the end of the programme.”

Five candidates took part in the programme, achieving a City & Guilds Certificate in Employability and Personal Development Level 1. Two of the five candidates have now entered full-time employment while another has been offered a volunteering role.

Shabina Suhail, Children Service Manager at Action for Children in Leicester, said: “At a time when job opportunities are still hard to come by, this programme is an important step to help disadvantaged young people get into further education, training or employment.”

Jon commented: “Unemployment is still increasing in my Constituency which is why jobs and measures to support the economy have always been my top priority, but this government refuses to change direction and admit that its economic policies are failing.”

“In Leicester South the number of people who have been claiming JSA for over 12 months has risen by more than 25% in the last year. But instead of introducing measures to get the economy moving and to create jobs especially for young people, the government’s big priority has been to hand millionaires a massive tax cut.”

The School Council recently visited the House of Commons after winning the four-to-seven category for their “Happy Lunch Times” Project. The Speaker’s School Council Awards is an award scheme where schools can submit a project that has had a positive effect.

Jon stated: “It is fantastic that Overdale Infants’ School Council won the Speaker’s Award. By all accounts a lot of hard work and thought went into their winning project, and I hope that everyone is now having happier lunch times at Overdale.”

After meeting with the Head Teacher, Mrs Philippa Maksymiw, Jon met the members of the School Council.

Speaking before the visit, Jon commented: “I’m looking forward to meeting the School Council and hearing about their visit to The House of Commons. I will also have to make sure I am fully prepared to answer their searching questions.”

At its most recent Ofsted inspection Overdale was classified as good with the Head Teacher providing clear leadership.

Mrs Philippa Maksymiw, the Head Teacher, commented: “I am extremely proud of the work our School Council has done. They really did investigate the issue and produce solutions which have had an amazingly positive effect on the children and indeed the staff during school lunchtimes. Everyone now actually looks forward to lunchtime!”

“The children who visited the Palace of Westminster and conversed with Jon Bercow will always remember that fantastic experience forever.”

Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, visited the new training facilities and laboratory at the British Gas Academy on Aylestone Road. The Academy trains British Gas staff and engineers, and Jon was shown some of their new energy-efficiency methods and apprenticeship opportunities.

The Leicester Academy, the only one in the East Midlands, opened in July 2009 and is one of six British Gas Academies that operates around the country. The Academies have trained over 5,000 apprentices across Britain, 1,000 of whom have passed through the Leicester Academy. On 6 June British Gas announced that they would make available 200 more apprenticeships. Thirty-six of the 200 places have already been allocated, and next month the company will start recruiting for the remaining 164 apprenticeships in the service and repair division. Many of those 200 apprenticeships will be available in the Leicester Academy.

Jon said: “Apprenticeships are a great way for people to get the necessary skills and experience required to get jobs. In four years these Academies have trained thousands of apprentices, and the new innovation laboratory will open up even more employment and training possibilities for people in Leicester.”

“Unfortunately, the East Midlands has missed out drastically when it comes to investment in regional growth. The government's Regional Growth Programme has severely neglected our region, so it's important that an opportunity like this has come up locally in Leicester.”