I’ve been listening to local businesses about their challenges and priorities in 2023 as we work to halve inflation and grow the economy. We were at the fantastic Paradise Wildlife Park and we covered a range of issues from VAT and business rates to strikes and the future of our high streets. A special thank you to Paradise Wildlife Park for hosting us, and Muse Boutique, Seb Enterprises, MCP, Home Instead and others for taking part in this episode. I am raising your points with ministers and will report back

The next episode of my community podcast comes from the New Apton Centre. It is a real jewel in the community in Bishop's Stortford — and the community rallied around in a mammoth effort to save it from permanent closure! In this episode I speak to Jackie, the new centre manager, and Violet who is a regular visitor.

I begin my community podcast from my first ever in-person jobs and apprenticeships fair at Fletcher’s Lea in Ware, and I’d like to thank every single business and organisation that took the time to come along and speak to local people. Joining me in the conversation are: Local brewery McMullen, Stansted Airport, East of England Ambulance Service, BT Group, MCP property Services and Home Instead — just a handful of fantastic local organisations talking about some of the excellent jobs and paid training they have on offer.