On Tuesday 29 January 2013 at Treasury Questions, Valerie asked the Chancellor about underemployment within the workforce.

Valerie has written to every junior and primary school in Walsall South to encourage them to take part in the Make IT Happy competition for pupils aged 9-11.Valerie Vaz MP said:“I have written to all of the primary schools in Walsall South to encourage them to get involved with Make IT Happy again. The competition offers a unique way for pupils to engage with their wider communities to make a positive impact on the lives of others, while at the same time enhancing their own knowledge of IT.”“This year’s competition has been designed to help children use the internet safely and creatively. Children will be asked to create a digital poster that tells other people what they’ve learned and how they too can be safe on the web.”“Staying safe online is vital for primary age children, and the competition helps them learn internet safety skills. I am sure that pupils will enjoy the chance to work together on such an exciting and relevant project.”“In the 2011 Make IT Happy Competition Palfrey Junior School from Walsall South won the West Midlands Regional Competition, following my invitation, and were invited to the prize giving ceremony at the House of Commons. The school received £1200 in prize money.”“I hope that the 2013 Make IT Happy competition will see many highly successful entries from schools in Walsall South and I wish them the best of luck.”The closing date for entries is 6 April 2013. For further information and details of how to enter please click here.

On 24 January 2013 Valerie signed the Holocaust Memorial Day Book of Commitment in the House of Commons.Valerie said: "I signed the Book of Commitment to remember those who lost their lives during the Holocaust. On Holocaust Memorial Day, on the 27 January, we can remember the victims of the Holocaust and the survivors who were persecuted for their beliefs. It is a time to reflect on the suffering that continues today.”For further information on the Holocaust Memorial trust, please click here.

This week, Valerie has sent a free booklet, “A Guide to Attachment and How it can Affect Peoples’ Lives”, by John Timpson CBE, to all schools and libraries in Walsall South.Valerie said:“I have been campaigning on issues relating to adoption since I was elected in May 2010. In June 2011 I introduced my Adoption (Leave Pay and Allowances) Bill which contained provisions to equalise pay, leave and allowance arrangements for adoptive parents with those available to parents whose children are born to them. One of the main reasons I introduced the Bill was the importance of enabling adoptive parents to ensure that children are able to develop healthy attachments.”“A Guide to Attachment takes the reader through what healthy attachment means and the effect attachment difficulties can have on a child's development. The book was written by John Timpson CBE, Chairman of the Timpson’s Ltd shoe repair business. Mr Timpson has extensive experience with fostering and adoption. He and his wife Alex were foster carers for 29 years and during this time they fostered over 80 children. Mr Timpson has also been Chair of the Governors at many schools and was a trustee of ChildLine until its merger with the NSPCC. Mr Timpson has kindly donated a number of copies of the book.”“I decided to send the book to schools and libraries as it is an excellent source of information for children and families dealing with foster care and adoption. I am grateful to Mr Timpson for providing the books and I hope that they are helpful to my constituents."

Valerie has today tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) calling on the Government to ensure the future of the Royal Institution at 21 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, following reports that the building may be sold.