Last week, figures were released of a worldwide survey of reading skills for 10 year olds.

It revealed that our children now out-perform every other English speaking nation and are third in the World behind Sweden and the Netherlands.

This is a great credit to children, parents, teachers and schools and the government's drive to put literacy at the heart of early years development.

It is proof that standards are improving in our schools.

I will be meeting with police soon to talk to them about increases in police on the beat, CCTV, safety on buses and their work to cut anti-social behaviour around the town.

Our local police use the government's Anti Social Behaviour Orders more than most forces and are supported by Redditch Council.

I have seen for myself the benefits that Anti Social Behaviour Orders can bring to a neighbourhood and local residents deserve the protection they provide.

These orders allow police to take early action against young people who might then move onto more serious crime.