Stuart visited Felix’s Forge in Ditton Priors – a brilliant small business making metal homewares.
August began with the sad news that more than a hundred jobs could be lost after food producer Kerry Group Plc launched a consultation on plans to close its factory in Burford. Kerry Group has been a significant employer in the area for many years. I know that this situation will be worrying for many local families with relatives that work there. My team and I will support anyone affected by this decision. I have also updated my support page on my website with useful information.
On 14th August 2025, 250,000 young people in England collected their A-Level results. Many students also collected results for their T-Level qualifications. More young people collected their GCSE results on 21st August 2025. As such, I would like to open by celebrating the achievements of young people across South Shropshire and further afield.
I want to ensure every young person in South Shropshire has access to high-quality education, training, and employment opportunities that will enable them to excel in life. So, on 19th August 2025, I was delighted to welcome Employment Minister Alison McGovern MP to discuss these issues with me and key local partners at the JobCentre Plus in Bridgnorth. By working together, I believe that we can unleash rural prosperity and boost employment prospects for our residents.
15th August 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ Day 80). This is the date that finally brought the Second World War to an end after six years of bitter conflict across the globe, including in the Far East. To mark this special occasion, I visited Bridgnorth Cemetery, which is the final resting place for 15 First World War and 18 Second World War casualties. It was a humbling experience to pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
As a veteran, I will always support those who serve our country in the Armed Forces and their families. In Parliament, I called on Veterans Minister Al Carns to ensure support for veterans benefits residents in rural areas like South Shropshire, as the new 'Valour' programme was initially launched in more urban areas with Mayoral Authorities. I am glad that Al Carns MP confirmed that existing organisations in South Shropshire will be apply to able for the funding, when details are announced in the coming months. I will keep my veterans support webpage updated with the latest details so that organisations can apply as soon as possible.
I am committed to supporting our local communities in South Shropshire. As part of this, I want to ensure that older and disabled people can live with the dignity and respect that they deserve. It was excellent to recently visit Arden Grange Care Home in Ditton Priors and Care of Excellence, a home-care service based in Ludlow. The staff who make up the paid social care workforce provide an invaluable service to our community. I am committed to supporting them as they help elderly and disabled people.
I am very concerned about crime in rural areas like South Shropshire. I was delighted to catch up with representatives from West Mercia Police, who are bucking the national trend when it comes to tackling crimes like shoplifting. However, government decisions are taking valuable resources away from frontline policing - including in rural areas like South Shropshire.
Nationally, police numbers have dropped by 1,316 officers over the past year and the number of new recruits has plummeted by 17 per cent. At the same time, a further 1,800 police jobs are at risk due to funding constraints and shoplifting has gone up by 20%. More investment in rural areas could make real inroads into these issues. I will keep pushing for a fair share of police funding in rural areas like South Shropshire.
