Mary Glindon MP column: Boosting apprenticeships and pharmacies

Apprenticeships in manufacturing trades waned as the industrial sector was exported abroad to countries with cheaper labour from the 1970s onwards.

But we have learnt that we need to have more manufacturing at home so we are not held hostage by hostile nations.

That boosts the need for apprenticeships. Our future depends on getting more young people into secure and well-paid jobs with real prospects and supporting UK businesses to grow.

Apprenticeships help and it’s why the Government is overhauling the skills system to unlock opportunities for young people and put apprenticeships on a level footing with university.

It’s always good to see those involved as people in their own rights and not just as anonymous parts of the economy. Two young Persimmon Homes apprentices from Newcastle, Skye Gallon and Tom Hall, joined me at a parliamentary event during national apprentices week.

I’m glad that they enjoyed seeing parliament and I wish them well in their careers. We need more like them.

As we all live longer, the demands on the NHS have grown and we need better and more efficient means of delivering health. Pharmacies are now becoming even more vital in a shift from being retailers of medicine to being the front door of the NHS.

It’s about more than picking up a prescription, but about high-street clinical care as health care shifts from hospital to community.

I want to help pharmacies and raised an issue in the Commons this week. A local pharmacy tells me that this year’s settlement negotiations must tackle fears that rising costs could mean reducing opening hours and making staff redundant. I am hopeful that the minister will heed such pleas.

Such change needs champions and help to match resources and need. It’s an important part of my job as a public representative.