The Office of National Statistics today released figures showing that people claiming unemployment in Sutton was at 2.7% for the month of March.

The figures show that the total number of people claiming unemployment benefit in the constituency was 1 385, a decrease of 79 people from this time last year in March 2012.

Local Lib Dems were celebrating today after a major campaign victory. Today's Budget announced that the Income Tax Personal Allowance will be raised to £10,000 in April 2014. This will provide a tax cut of £700 for 87,100* people, and over 8,000 people on low incomes will be taken out of Income Tax altogether.

Local MP Paul Burstow backed No Smoking Day last Wednesday (13^th March); a national campaign to encourage people quit smoking led by the British Heart Foundation.

No Smoking Day is aimed at helping people who want to quit smoking to do so at their own pace, and to highlight where they can get the support that they need. This year the theme is Swap Fags for Swag in an attempt to show smokers exactly what they gain when they quit the habit, both financially as well as the health benefits.

Figures obtained by local MP Paul Burstow have revealled that Sutton has seen an 83% increase in the number of apprenticeships awarded in the year 2011/2012.

The news came during National Apprenticeship Week, which aims to promote apprenticeships in order to provide jobs and training whilst boosting the economy.

Speech by Rt Hon Paul Burstow MP, 14^th March 2013:

INTRODUCTION

There can be no health without mental health.

That simple statement sums up the mission set out in the mental health strategy I published just a little over two years ago.

It's a radical idea: that there should be parity of esteem between mental and physical health.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has closed the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Brighton by calling on members to spread the message of the Party's commitment in Government to deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society.

In his keynote Leader's speech, Nick paid tribute to the work of the Party in winning the Eastleigh by-election, beating the Conservatives into third place and squeezing Labour while campaigning on the Lib Dem record of delivering in Government.

Local MP Paul Burstow became a citizen scientist last week (27^th February) to help Cancer Research UK in their fight against cancer.

By taking a few minutes out of his day, from his own computer, he was able to analyse molecules in cancer cells using the new Cell SliderTM website which could help Cancer Research UK step up their groundbreaking research in search for a cure.

Local MP Paul Burstow and Waitrose Worcester Park's Branch Manager, Andy Goodman, presented today (FRI) presented six cheques to local charities. The presentation took place at Waitrose after shoppers chose the charity as part of Waitrose's monthly Community Matters scheme.

Community Matters is the 'green token' scheme that helps Waitrose Partners and their customers support their local community. Branches donate £1,000 per month, which is divided proportionally between three nominated local organisations, according to the number of green tokens customers vote with.

Campaigners and local MPs were celebrating today as the Government bowed to pressure to save the Thameslink.

In response to Network Rail proposals to terminate the much-used service at Blackfriars, rather than carrying on to St Pancras, St Albans and beyond, Sutton's Lib Dem Councillors and MPs launched a campaign to save the service.