On Friday 25th March, Valerie visited Bonner Studs and ALCA Fasteners in Darlaston to hear their views on the economy and what the Government can do to promote manufacturing. Valerie met with senior managers from both businesses who were clear that unnecessary paperwork and red tape has used valuable time and resources which could have been better invested in growing their businesess. Managers were also clear that there should be much greater help in providing apprenticeship schemes to ensure that the next generation of skilled manufacturers receive first-rate training.

Valerie has  recieved a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond, giving details of Walsall Council's share of funding from the Government for repairing the large number of potholes caused by the particularly cold winter this year. From the £200 million available for councils accross England,  Walsall Council will recieve £522,243.

Valerie welcomed the Dean of the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Education, Professor Kit Field, and Dr Tehmina Basit to the Houses of Parliament.

On Friday 11th March, Valerie attended the launch of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Depression and Dementia videos at the Forest Arts Centre in Walsall with Dr Safi Afghan, the West Midlands Education Officer of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.