Esther McVey

Politicians themselves, every one of us, has a responsibility to make sure that we send out a message that it is a good place to work, that it is positive, that you are transforming people's lives.

People no longer have one job for life, so it is right that younger generations adapt.

Life is about hard work and getting on with things.

You wouldn't try and make a cake without a recipe book. Careers are just the same.

My friends have always known there was this more serious side to me, and all my life, I've had Conservative values.

Life teaches you it's not where you come from, it's where you get to, and work is exactly the same.

I work with a host of amazing women who act as role models, who give their spare time freely to encourage these girls to give things a go, to reach out and take a chance and to explain that should they fail, well that's just a part of life.

Politics is all about trust. Trust is like the soul: once gone, it never returns.

You only have a true choice when you know what opportunities are out there and what qualifications you need.

I've had other friends who had such a burning desire to have children: they have this biological ticking clock. I don't know what happened to mine. Nobody ever wound it up.

If people are coming into the country to add an extra dimension, to bring skills and expertise with them, we have always been open to that.

We have seen a shift in the focus of education before entering the workplace, with earning and learning the new norm.