Figures released this week show unemployment has remained at its lowest rate in more than four decades. Meanwhile, youth unemployment has fallen to its lowest rate since records began.

Torbay’s MP Kevin Foster has welcomed new figures showing 7,000 more people in Torquay and Paignton are now enrolled in a workplace pension.

Universal Credit Full Service (UCFS) rolls out on 5 September and it will apply to new claimants and those who have a change of circumstances that would mean they would usually make a new claim to one of the six benefits UCFS replaces. (JSA, ESA, IS, WTC, CTC and housing benefit).

Kevin is still getting a regular stream of complaints from constituents across the bay about missed refuse and recycling collections, as well as the poor quality of some collections that have taken place.

Last week, Kevin met with three students from The Spires College in Torquay to discuss the work they have been doing as part of the 2018 ‘Send my Friend to School’ Campaign, which focusses on making schools across the world a safe space for children to learn.

A number of constituents have contacted me over the weekend regarding the unacceptable situation in parts of the bay with the Tor 2 refuse collections. Some residents have now gone two weeks without a collection, which Tor 2 has attributed to staff shortages and equipment failure.

Torbay MP Criticises Crosscountry Consultation

Torbay’s MP Kevin Foster has reacted strongly to a consultation document issued by the Department for Transport which suggests reducing direct Crosscountry services to Torbay and describes it as part of the “Extremities of the Network”.

Today (27th May) marks the Centenary of the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment making a heroic last stand at Bois des Buttes, a wooded sandstone hill southwest of La Ville-aux-Bois.

Kevin questioned the Secretary of State for Transport this morning about what the Government is doing to secure the resilience of the Dawlish Railway Line post-Brexit.

Last week a bill designed to create a system of statutory parental bereavement leave cleared its final stages in the House of Commons.