A SCHOOL teacher has been elected as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate by members of the Redditch Labour Party.

Rebecca Jenkins has been a secondary school history teacher for 11 years and lives in Studley, having previously lived in Oakenshaw Redditch since childhood.

The 35-year-old says she has been interested in politics her entire life.

“As a school teacher I see first hand how austerity has affected schools and the impact upon children and families who have had free school meals cut and the increasing use of foodbanks," she said.

“Insecurity of people's work and the disastrous roll out of Universal Credit, and lack of quality homes that people can afford, are all important issues for me to get my teeth into with the people of Redditch.

She added: "I know only too well how important it is to have a fully functioning hospital here in Redditch and will campaign day and night to get our lost services back."

Redditch Labour Party Secretary Joe Baker said: “We are delighted to have selected Rebecca Jenkins to fight the next General Election for Labour in Redditch and I am positive she will be a great asset to the Local Party.

"Redditch needs a strong local voice, someone who can relate to the needs of local residents, for Redditch From Redditch."