Walking the corridors of the House of Commons, Michael Singh regularly casts his mind back to his mum.

It was her inspiration and determination which led to him getting a placement as a building services engineer at the House, and it was after her persuading him that he posted the application.

“I went to one of the most prestigious places in the world and the basis of my determination comes from my mum,” says Michael.

He is currently studying for a degree in building and surveying at Leeds University, where Michael found out about the year-long placement.

Initially, the 24-year-old was hesitant to apply as he didn’t think he would get anywhere. “Initially I decided not to waste my time, but I told my mum about it and she forced me to fill out the application a few days before it was due,” says Michael.

“I put a lot of effort into it and got an interview. A few weeks later they said I’d got the job which is a big pinnacle in my life. I’ve always felt like a failure because I’ve never achieved anything.”

Michael’s role involves working within the House in the Palace of Westminster. “It’s our duty to make sure the building is ticking over 24/7 in terms of machinery, light and refrigeration,” he says.

He talks of the “spectacular view” he had the pleasure of seeing while carrying out a survey on the tower that houses Big Ben.

“I am just in sheer shock at where I am actually working. I never thought I would get an opportunity like this. Not a lot of people get these opportunities,” says Michael.

“It is really surreal because I studied politics at A-level in Bradford and was interested in it, and now I’m seeing all these political faces I usually see on TV,” he adds.

Deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg and Dewsbury-born Baroness Warsi, Minister of State for Faith and Communities and Senior Minister of State, are among the high-profile political figures he has encountered so far.

While he hasn’t yet seen Prime Minister David Cameron, Michael hopes he will see him when he attends Question Time in the House of Commons – one of the perks of his job.

Michael hopes his story of success will inspire others.

Living in London, he says, is different to the life he’s used to in Bradford and he admits he misses his mum, Balbir, and siblings Monica and David but he visits as often as he can and he can often be found serving behind the counter in his family’s newsagents business at Five Lane Ends, Wrose.

“It was through sheer hard work she did it,” says Michael, referring to his mum’s determination to run her own business.

“My mum was a hard worker and I think she instilled it into all three of us,” says Balbir, referring to her own siblings. “It carries on like a circle, you instill it into your children and their children.”

Being a single parent gave Balbir a greater drive to succeed. “I can honestly say you can do anything in life,” she says.

When Michael told her about the placement in the House of Commons she had no hesitation in telling him to get his application in the post.

Despite his reluctance, thinking he wasn’t clever enough for the role, Balbir reassured him. “I said, ‘you are so clever, you can do it’. I pushed him on to apply,” she says.

On hearing the news that Michael had been offered the placement, Balbir recalls crying with pride, and that pride extends to all her children.

“They have made me proud of all of them.”