I recently had the opportunity to meet with ESOL students (‘English for Speakers of Other Languages’) who are enrolled on City College’s Aspire programme. Aspire is run by Ian Duckmanton OBE and his team.

The work being done here is truly humbling. The team support and lift up 16-18 year old asylum seekers, who have sought refuge in our fine city after experiencing harrowing, terrifying persecution in the countries they called home.

The Aspire team provide a glimpse of a future that many of the kids here may never have thought possible. I feel a massive sense of pride that such amazing work is happening in my constituency and in our city.