

EDUCATION, SKILLS & JOBS
Dean has been working with schools, businesses and local organisations to support education, skills and jobs across Watford.
Dean Invites
Chancellor Of The Exchequer To Teach Maths Class in Watford
Dean invited Rishi Sunak to Watford virtually, where he taught a maths class at Holywell School.
Mr Sunak said: "With schools adapting to the lockdown and visits reduced, I’ve been dropping into maths classes across the country to run through some tasks before taking questions from the kids.
"I was delighted to head to Watford last week where I was grilled on my life in lockdown and being Chancellor."
Watford MP Dean Russell helped set up the class with Mr Sunak and took part in the virtual session.
He said: "It was fantastic to see Rishi interact with the children. I think it is really important that young people have opportunities like this to hopefully inspire and encourage them – and to also build their confidence.
"All of the teachers are working incredibly hard not just with home learning, but also having to combine this with teaching the kids that are physically in the classroom.
"I hope they enjoyed seeing their pupils spend time with the Chancellor and I thank them for their excellent questions."
Primary School Podcasts
As part of Dean's regular engagement with schools across Watford, he hosted several Q&A's with Primary School children to find out how they have been during the lockdown.
As part of the Q&A's, Dean had a chance to share some of the work he has been doing at the local MP and see how lessons have been going as children were adapting to virtual lessons.
Check out the podcasts with the schools and more at the links below to 'Watford Matters with Dean Russell'.
Kickstart In Watford
Dean has been engaging with local organisations to support the roll out of the Kickstarter scheme across Watford.
Taking on a new employee is a big step and a big risk for many small businesses and this scheme is designed to reduce the risk for employers, and create an opportunity for local, young people who are seeking employment.
Hopefully many businesses in Watford will take part and help to kickstart our local economy and reduce the number looking for work as we emerge from the pandemic.
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.

Small Business Ambassador
Dean has been appointed as a regional Small Business Ambassador.
The scheme was unveiled to mark Small Business Saturday in 2020 to enable MPs to be a voice to enterprises and help shape crucial government policy.
Dean is one of twelve Members of Parliament hand-picked to represent Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and every English region. The team is designed to bring a wide range of experience and represents every region, reinforcing the commitment to level up across the country.
Dean wants to hear from small businesses across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Essex to join roundtables and engage to inform government policy.


Put
Dean
on your Team
Would you like to put your local MP to work on a shift in your school, business or charity?
'Put Dean On Your Team' does what it says on the tin! Get Dean to join a shift with your team and help promote your work.
From serving customers to filing documents, doing a spot of cleaning to helping load your van, no job is out of bounds.
Did You Know?
DEAN'S MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
During the first lockdown Dean was asked to help the Mission Impossible movie producers ensure filming could continue at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden. Dean successfully organised for Tom Cruise to virtually meet with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Dean's intervention led to specific film and production industry rules during COVID which countries around the world soon followed. His actions subsequently meant the global film industry could continue to make movies and TV shows safely - saving jobs in Watford and around the World.
Supporting The Film Industry
Dean has been a proactive support of jobs in our local film and production industry across Watford.
From helping get the global film industry up and running when helping to successfully lobby for film specific quarantine rules following outreach from the Mission Impossible team including Tom Cruise, through to his role as Chair of the Film and Production Industry All-Party Parliamentary Group, Dean has been working hard to protect jobs and promote the success of the industry.
This included joining the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden on his visit to Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden to launch the UK Global Screen Fund. The fund will export the extraordinary talent and creativity of the UK to audiences across the globe, supporting our talented filmmakers and screen businesses to compete and grow in Hertfordshire and across the country.

UK Trade Act Becomes Law
The Trade Act, which came into law on the 29th April 2021, allows the UK to put the agreements it strikes as a newly independent 21st-century trading nation on to the statute books.
This means the trade deals with 67 countries worth £218 billion which have already signed can become part of UK law permanently – and that British householders’ and businesses’ interests can be put first in future agreements, for the first time in almost 50 years.
The Act provides certainty vital for British firms to trade successfully overseas and means they will not face additional costs when doing so.
Dean commented "A clear benefit post-Brexit is the newfound sovereignty which will allow the UK to to forge new frontiers in new and innovative industries including digital trade and services, champion free and fair trade across the globe, and lead reform of the global trading system.
I believe Watford can be at the forefront of a new Global Britain and look forward to working with local businesses in achieving this."
For further details on the announcement visit the .gov.uk page by clicking below.

Dean is actively involved in the community and is leading local and national campaigns and initiatives to make a difference for people across Watford and around the UK. Use the links below to find out more. If you don't see something important to you, let Dean know via a quick community survey here.
Funding For
Watford General
Find out about Dean's successful lobbying for £400m funding for West Herts Hospital Trust.
Infrastructure &Transport
From Woodmere Avenue to local infrastructure and transport. Find out about Dean's local work.
Mental Health
& Wellbeing
Find out Dean's plans for mental health & wellbeing across our town.
Safe Streets &
Fighting Crime
Find out about Dean's work to put victims first, tackle crime and ensure our streets are safe.
Tackling Homelessness
Dean has helped secure over £4m to end homelessness in Watford.
Education, Skills & Jobs
Find out about the latest initiatives for skills and jobs from kickstarter schemes to training.
Environment & Waste
Join Dean in ending the use of single use plastic and waste across Watford.
Share Your Views
What are your priorities? Dean wants to hear your views, complete this quick survey now.