Alistair Burt MP: Positive politics

Immigration coming under control: I was very pleased to note the Home Office announcement that the results of changes to immigration policy and practice are beginning to show – latest figures show net migration has been cut by a third.

We need to bring down net migration to sustainable levels, while still attracting the brightest and the best talent from around the world. We still have some way to go, but I am pleased that the evidence shows we are delivering on the promise to reduce and control immigration.

International Women’s Day: Celebrations last week were more high profile than previous years and came at a time when the Government is working hard to end violence against women and girls around the world.

We have widened the definition of domestic violence, taken a world lead on stopping rape as a weapon of war, made a stand on female genital

mutilation in the UK and ring-fenced nearly £40 million funding up to 2015 for specialist local domestic and sexual violence support services, rape crisis centres and the national domestic violence and stalking helplines. There is still much to do.

National Apprenticeship Week: I warmly welcome the 800 events this week that will further raise awareness of the benefits of apprentices to business.

We want an apprenticeship to be a good choice alongside university and higher education, increasing quality and scope by raising standards and introducing new paths into professions. There have been more than 1 million apprenticeship starts since the Government took office.