I want to start with an advert - for a new factory shop that I had the pleasure to open recently at the Remploy factory near to the Palmersville metro station.  You may know that Remploy employs people who suffer from a disability of one sort or another.

The factory at Palmersville makes beds and supplies some of the major companies and department stores.  Now as a result of the new factory shop you will be able to see the range of products and buy direct from the factory.  By cutting out the middle-man some great bargains are available and it’s all in a very good cause!

But to be serious for a minute, many of you will remember that I wrote some weeks ago about the campaign to keep the nation Remploy network of factories.  Thousands of people in our region signed the petition to keep the factories open and the good news is that we have won the battle – at least for the time being with a five year review now underway.  We will all have to be vigilant but I have no doubt that we will need to retain a structured system of support and assistance for people with a disability to ensure that they are able to experience the dignity of work.

August is the month for exam results with celebrations for some young people and yet hopes dashed for others.  I do wish we gave congratulations to the young people themselves for their hard work; their parents for giving support and their teachers for their guidance rather than immediately getting into a debate about exams getting easier and standards slipping.

Don’t get me wrong we do need to make sure that exams are challenging and represent a real test of knowledge and effort, but we can do this anytime of the year.  Why not free up a few weeks in August to say well done to all those involved in achieving such excellent results.  Surely this isn’t too much to ask?