Onslow bus service safe under Surrey proposals

The number 18 Onslow circular bus service is safe under proposals published by Surrey county council following a review intended to save £2 million across Surrey. This follows a consultation where Onslow residents wrote in to make the case for the importance of the number 18 bus service to our community.

The proposals produced by Surrey county council will now go out to a second consultation but no changes are proposed to bus services affecting Onslow directly. You can read the proposals here and you can find out how to respond to them here.

Commenting on the news, local Onslow Liberal Democrat campaigner George Potter said:

“This is very welcome news. Since the number 18 bus is subsidised by the county council there was a real worry it could have been hit by the planned £2 million of cuts to the transport budget but under these proposals it’s safe for at least the next financial year.

“It is disappointing that there are no improvements proposed to the number 18 route – such as more buses at times of day when people might need to use it to get to work or a Sunday service – but these are things we can try and lobby for in the future.

“For now everyone in Onslow who responded to the consultation deserves a big thank you for helping to keep our bus service – especially Onslow Village Residents Association who did a lot of work to encourage people to respond to the consultation.”

 

22,870 apprentices in Surrey help hit 2 million goal

It’s been confirmed that the number of apprenticeships created in the UK since 2010 has hit the 2 million mark with 22,870 apprenticeships in Surrey contributing to that goal. The largest ever expansion of apprenticeships is a signature policy of the Liberal Democrats who’ve backed it as a way for young people who don’t want to go to university to gain qualifications at the same time as earning.

This also follows news of Vince Cable announcing a £1 an hour increase in the minimum wage for apprentices.

Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Guildford, Kelly-Marie Blundell commented:

“Apprenticeships are a vital part of building a stronger economy and a fairer society. By ensuring young people are able to earn and learn, we give them the opportunity to get on it life.

“That is why I am delighted young people in Guildford, and across Surrey, have benefited from fantastic training and employment opportunities that apprenticeships offer.

“After finishing one, the majority of apprentices (85%) will stay in work, with two-thirds staying with the same employer.

“I’ve seen for myself in businesses across Guildford the benefit apprenticeships can give to young people and I’m delighted that over two million young people across England have been able to take advantage.”

If you’re interested in being an apprentice or if you know any young people who might be interested in one then visit the national apprenticeship website here.