By Banbury MP Victoria Prentis

GIVEN the historic referendum result, this is a challenging time for British politics; the situation with Brexit changes from day to day.

I am sorry that so many of you feel let down by the inability of Parliament to move forward.

I know that worry and uncertainty is difficult for many of us.

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Local businesses and the workforce need security and stability. North Oxfordshire has very high levels of employment and companies are having to find new ways to attract staff.

There is growing need for flexibility in the roles that are offered.

When I visited Banbury Jobcentre Plus a couple of weeks ago I heard that there are many constituents with caring responsibilities who are looking for part-time or flexible opportunities locally.

The need for alternatives extends further than simply introducing roles with more flexible hours.

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Last week saw the return of National Apprenticeship Week which celebrated the benefits of apprenticeships for staff, employers and the local economy.

I think apprenticeships are a great way of providing hands on experience in a relevant area of work.

There are so many available in North Oxfordshire, ranging from IT Support at Wykham Park School to Engineering at Collins Aerospace.

There is no upper age limit; from school leavers to those looking for a change of career or re-entering the workforce, apprenticeships give people a chance to pursue what they enjoy.

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This summer, I will be organising my first ‘Job and Flexibility Fair’ to showcase the opportunities available locally, including part-time and job-sharing positions, apprenticeships and roles with the option to work from home.

I am looking forward to working with 9-2-3 Jobs, a local recruitment agency specialising in roles with flexible working hours.

If you would like to be kept updated as more information becomes available, please do get in touch via email to victoria.prentis.mp@parliament.uk or call my office on 01869 233685