Jon visited the Coffee Morning organised by St Andrews' Tenants Association on Friday 28 September.

Jon said:“The World's Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support's biggest fundraising event. I am pleased to attend this annual event and take time out of my day for what really matters.”

“With over 2 million people living with cancer in the UK, Macmillan Cancer Support provides vital practical, medical and financial support, and I am more than happy to support its World's Biggest Coffee Morning.”

The first national World's Biggest Coffee Morning was in 1991 and since then it has raised over £60 million for Macmillan Cancer Support.

After the Coffee Morning, Jon spent time on St Andrews Estate with the Chair of the Tenant's Association, Angie Beale.

Angie Beale said:“It is lovely for Jon to come and have a look round the area again. I'm pleased that he wants to meet the local residents.”Jon commented:“It is important that I hear from Angie what is happening in the area and to meet and listen to constituents about any issues they have.”

Jon presented certificates to learners who have studied for the various accredited programmes offered by the Bangladesh Youth and Cultural Shomiti (BYCS).

Speaking ahead of the Presentation Jon said: “I am looking forward to presenting certificates and congratulating the learners on their achievements. The Bangladesh Youth and Cultural Shomiti provides a long standing service to the community and I am honoured to be asked to attend the event.”

BYCS provides various programmes and activities that offer support for young children and youth, as well as adult education, learning and training which includes pre-employment support and career development advice.

Jon was joined at the Presentation Ceremony by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Abdul Osman, and the Chair of BYCS, Abdul Bari.

Jon speaks at the Highfields Got Talent event at Phoenix Digital on Saturday 22 September.

Jon stated:“Highfields Got Talent is a great way for the young people of Highfields to showcase their talents and creativity and to support Crimestoppers. It's going to be a brilliant day.”

The event was organised by Crimestoppers and is supported by Anand International Ltd, Daewoo International (Europe) and Pukaar News. It builds on the success of a similar event held in Birmingham 18 months ago.

Jon commented:“By focussing on the positives of young people and the theme of anti-drugs and anti-crime, events like this are important for the whole community. Highfields Got Talent also encourages young people to act as positive members within the community.”

Young people aged between 13 and 19 years of performed under a number of categories including dance, art, singing and poetry or spoken word.

The audience consisted of friends and families of the contestants alongside invited guests and sponsors. The event also be attended by Mr Bill Cullen, Chairman of Crimestoppers.

Jon attended the certificate presentation ceremony at the Pakistan Youth and Community Association on Friday September 21.

Speaking ahead of the PYCA Oscars Jon said:“It is a great pleasure to be presenting certificates to some of the adult learners who have successfully completed courses to boost their employability skills at the Pakistan Youth and Community Association.”

Over 50 learners received certificates at the ceremony. These adult learners have completed various employability courses, such as Switched ON for Work, Health & Safety, Food & Hygiene, First Aid @ Work and PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector).

Jon was joined by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Abdul Osman, and local Councillors at the ceremony.

Mustafa Malik, Chief Executive of PYCA, said:“It is vital that we bring learning to the individuals who lack confidence in accessing the education system. PYCA offers a space which is sympathetic to the needs of our users, and a sheltered environment that particularly young people and women can feel comfortable in.

We believe in equality and our services are open to all - over 50% of our users come from non-Pakistani communities.”In the last five years PYCA has engaged with over 3000 adults to improve their basic and employability skills, out of which over 1700 individuals moved into learning and over 1200 successfully completed their courses.

Along with fellow MPs Keith Vaz and Liz Kendall, Jon attended the unveiling biometric technology in Leicester Post Office on Gallowtree Gate, which is in Jon's Constituency of Leicester South.

The partnership between The UK Border Agency and The Post Office improves access to Biometric Residence Permits, an identity card for migrants in the UK.Post Office and UKBA typically process around 1,500 Biometric Residence Permit applications a day.

The Post Office uses advanced technology to capture applicants' biometrics – fingerprints and digital facial images. The technology is used in over 750 Post Office branches to renew photo card driving licences for DVLA, and applications for Biometric Residence Permits for the UK Border Agency (UKBA) are processed in over 100 branches.

Post Office, Commercial Director Martin Moran, said: “Together with the UKBA we have developed a simple walk-in service on the high street for Biometric Residence Permits and from today this will be available from Leicester Post Office.”

Rob Whiteman, Chief Executive of UKBA said: “Those who want to stay in the UK for longer than six months, including students, need a biometric residence permit and now more than 100 Post Offices in the UK are equipped to process biometric information on our behalf in a very successful working partnership.”

Keith Vaz, MP for Leicester East said: “I am delighted that the UK Border Agency and Post Office are opening a Biometric Residence Permit Facility for Leicestershire. This marks the conclusion of a long campaign for such a centre.

He added: “The biometric facility will be warmly welcomed by Leicester residents and will offer a vital service. Local people will no longer need to travel to Nottingham and Derby to use these services saving them both time and money."

Jon Ashworth MP joined Leicester MPs, Liz Kendall and Keith Vaz members of the public campaigning to save the children's heart unit at Glenfield Hospital outside Parliament.

Jon said:“I'm strongly backing the campaign to try to save the children's heart and ECMO service at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital. Families came from across the East Midlands and beyond today to make clear their opposition to the proposed closure.

Jon visited the recently established East Midlands Hub of the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy at Leicester College.

Jon stated: “The Enterprise Academy is a brilliant initiative – offering young entrepreneurs the chance to realise and achieve their business dreams by studying for a Peter Jones Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at level 3.”

“At a time of high youth unemployment, the Academy is a welcome opportunity for young people aged 16 and over.”

Jon met with Alice Barnard, the Chief Executive Officer of the Peter Jones Foundation, and Maggie Galliers, Principal of Leicester College.

Maggie Galliers, Leicester College Principal, speaking before the visit said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to show Jon around the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy.

Every day we see young people with great ideas, enthusiasm and ambition. The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy will be an excellent way for them to explore those ideas and develop the skills and experience to help them achieve their ambitions and make a success in the world of business”.

Jon Ashworth MP was joined by Councillors and local activists in Eyres Monsell on Saturday 8 September.

Jon was in Eyres Monsell meeting people and taking up any issues they raised with him.

Jon said:“It was good being out and about in Eyres Monsell and meeting local residents. I and my office will be taking up the different issues that were brought to my attention on Saturday.”

“As I have said before, if there are any particular streets, or areas, people want me to visit then please contact my office. I want to get around all of my Constituency and let people know that I am on their side in these tough times.”

Jon Ashworth visited the annual Eyres Monsell Horticultural and Craft Show at the Eyres Monsell Community Centre on Saturday 8 September.

Jon stated: “It was great visiting the Horticultural and Craft show which I understand has been running for 35 years. As well as saying a few words before celebrity gardener Ady Dayman presented the trophies, I assisted him with the auction.”

The annual show is supported by the local Community Ward Fund, and attracts exhibitors from across Leicestershire.

Sue Green, member of the Show’s Committee, said: “I am pleased that Jon attended this year’s show. I am sure that Jon was impressed with the produce and goods entered for the different awards, which included the Community Association Cup for the best exhibit in the whole show.”

Ady Dayman has recently been appointed as one of the Honorary Ambassador for Rainbows Hospice. Half of the profits made on the auction were donated to this very worthy cause.

Jon Ashworth MP said: “Many members of the local community have raised concerns with me directly in recent weeks about the humanitarian catastrophe taking in place in Burma where Rohingya Muslims have been murdered and displaced.”

“Next week I have secured a debate in Parliament where I will be able to make representations direct to Foreign Office Ministers.” “Clearly the international community needs to do more to put pressure on the Burma regime to safeguard the Rohingya community and take action against those committing the atrocities.”

Jon has secured debate in Parliament on Tuesday 11 September at 9.30am in Westminster Hall. Click here to read...

Jon stated: “In Leicester I also organised a public meeting where those with concerns locally could speak to me directly ahead of the debate in Parliament. I also invited representatives from a number of local faith establishments to raise awareness of the issue and encourage members of the community to consider charity fundraising for humanitarian relief.”

Read Jon's article in the Huffington Post here...

Jon Ashworth MP and Knighton Cllr Lynn Moore attended the community funday and congratulated all involved.

Jon said “Knighton Park is a beautiful park and it was great to see many people enjoying the funday. I met up with the Friends of Knighton Park and discussed their campaign to get a new basketball court in the park."

“The Community Funday was a great success and I even won a coconut at the coconut shy!”