South Central Region Liberal Democrats

Scientists from across the European Union are calling Oxfordshire home thanks to the pull of Diamond Light Source.

The UK's national synchrotron science facility based at Harwell employs scientists from around the world, including workers from more than half the EU member states.

Catherine Bearder, a Lib Dem MEP from the South East, visited on Tuesday to learn about the research at the site.

A delegation of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, chaired by UK Liberal Democrat MEP Sharon Bowles, has been meeting with finance ministers, supervisory authorities, stock exchange officials, and monetary authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore to discuss the impact of the Eurozone crisis on Asian markets, as well as developments concerning EU financial services legislation in line with the G20 agenda, such as capital requirements for banks (Basel III) and over-the-counter derivatives.

On Saturday, 25 February South Central Region of the Liberal Democrats will hold a major Spring Regional Conference in High Wycombe, Bucks. This is an annual event for Lib Dem members from across Berks, Bucks, Hants, Isle of Wight and Oxon, approx 200 are likely to attend.

This year we are delighted to announce that highlights include:

This key debate organised by the Social Liberal Forum is to take place at our Regional Conference in High Wycombe this Saturday 25th February.

To register complete the booking form here

1st time attendees and claimants can register for just £7.50

Sharon Bowles MEP, who represents South East England in the European Parliament, is supporting Don't Cut Us Out, a campaign in West Sussex fighting to protect vulnerable adults from council cuts.

The campaign was started after Conservative-led West Sussex County Council decided to cut its adult services budget, leaving many elderly people and those with learning disabilities without vital support.

A plan to increase allowances and travel expenses for Members of the European Parliament (MEP) was today put on hold.

Catherine Bearder called for a freeze on allowances, as well as a curb on money for travel until the next European election in 2014.

And a proposal for an inflation-linked rise in administrative costs as part of the 2013 EU budget guidelines was today blocked at Strasbourg.

Sharon Bowles MEP, who chairs the European Parliament's powerful Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, has today called on the European Commission to clarify its position on Common Stability Bonds, known commonly as 'Eurobonds'.

Ms Bowles, who was recently re-elected to chair the Committee for the remainder of the parliamentary session, also took the opportunity to promote Eurobills - a shorter-term bond currently being discussed in Brussels.

Energy firm SSE is creating over 100 new apprentice jobs this year and is looking for bright sparks to fill 15 of them in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

The announcement of the new posts coincides with SSE holding a special education event at its training centre at Thatcham to show local school pupils the benefits of a career in the energy industry, and of apprenticeships.