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.

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.

A growth in apprenticeships under the Coalition Government has been welcomed by South East MEP Catherine Bearder.

Catherine praised new figures which show Coalition investment has led to a substantial rise in the number of apprenticeships since the last Labour Government.

Figures released last week show a 49 per cent increase in the South East since 2009, putting the number at 58,340 in 2011.

Catherine urged more than 300 youngsters to make 2012 a year to remember at the Force for Good in the World conference.

The South East MEP was at Windlesham House School, in Washington, West Sussex, on Friday to inspire tomorrow's leaders.

The conference focused on the problem of human trafficking and how young people can get involved to stop slavery.

European low-cost airlines must take a stand against human trafficking, South East MEP Catherine Bearder said today.

Ryanair and Easyjet were among a number of carriers Catherine has asked to help put a stop to the vile trade in human beings.

Catherine said: "Airlines are on the frontline to tackle trafficking and I want to know what steps they are taking to deal with the problem."

Below is a table of how Surrey Councillors voted on the 2.99% Council Tax rise at this morning's budget meeting.

The main points are:

All Liberal Democrat members were present and voted against the 2.99% increase.

All Resident/Independent members were present and either abstained or voted against the increase.