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10th-16th February marked National Apprenticeship Week. I attended the 2025 Truro & Penwith College Apprenticeship Awards - a great opportunity to celebrate apprentices and the impact they have on our community, local businesses, and the wider economy. Truro & Penwith College Apprenticeship Awards The Government marked National Apprenticeship Week not just with words but with action- announcing reforms that will create thousands of apprenticeship opportunities across the region. One standout initiative is the new ‘foundation apprenticeship’ for young people not quite ready for level 2 or 3 apprenticeships. It is an opportunity for them to gain valuable work experience and skills as they climb the career ladder step by step. The Government’s new plan removes the GCSE English and maths requirement for adults aged 19+ pursuing an apprenticeship at level 2 or higher, making apprenticeships more accessible and allowing many more capable individuals to finish their training. With support from businesses, these reforms could open doors to up to 10,000 more young people.  There will also be a boost to vital industries like the green sector, which is an initiative close to my heart. I am pushing hard for offshore wind in the Celtic Sea with knowledge of all the skilled jobs that it could bring to young people in the area.  Apprenticeships provide young people with purpose and direction. The Government’s efforts have already led to a rise in apprenticeship starts and achievements compared to the previous government. In Truro and Falmouth alone, there are 840 apprentices currently enrolled, with 50 having recently completed their courses. We rely on Cornwall’s Further Education (FE) providers to scale up in conjunction with industry. The government's recent reforms will help them shape that path. Fortunately, we have amazing local providers like Cornwall College and Truro & Penwith College - one of only five FE Colleges in the UK to have been awarded ‘Expert Apprenticeship Provider’ status by the Department for Education.  Young people are the future - let's help them get there.

Water quality is an important issue for Cornwall. Our beaches, rivers, and seas are central to our well-being, economy, and way of life. Every day, I hear from people about sewage pollution, with surfers and swimmers getting ill. Cornwall has been troubled by sewage spills for too long, and now it is time for change. As your MP, protecting our coastline and ensuring clean, safe water is a top priority of mine. The new Government is taking steps to address poor water quality. The Water (Special Measures) Bill is a key part of this plan, ensuring water companies are accountable. This Bill empowers the Environment Agency to bring criminal charges and impose fines while also giving Ofwat the authority to stop performance-related bonuses for company executives. Real-time monitoring of sewage outlets will help ensure we know exactly what is going on. In 2024, South West Water were among the worst offenders in the UK for pollution incidents. In places like Porthluney Beach, sewage contamination has made it one of the dirtiest beaches in the UK. Cornwall deserves better. I had the opportunity to question the CEO of South West Water at the Government’s Environment Select Committee.  Watch the interview here Jayne in the Government’s Environment Select Committee questioning the CEO of SWW. I pressed South West Water to allow residents to test water quality in their areas for pollution, and it seems they are willing to let us do that. I will hold them to their word and continue pushing for the changes we need. See  SWW's response   Cornwall deserves clean, safe water. It’s time for South West Water to deliver on their promises — no more excuses.