Backing Local Business

Helen at a local business.

Almost everywhere you look, Faversham and Mid Kent is teeming with brilliant businesses who we could be doing more to help grow. 

In never ceases to amaze me how many diverse businesses we have locally. From farms to foundries, health tech to rocket manufacturers. Possibly the only thing they have in common is how tough they've found the last few years. Brexit uncertainty, COVID, and inflation have given businesses lots to think about besides expanding.

But now we're out the other side, we've got to start to get businesses thinking about growing again. 

Taking the next step can be challenging - and under this Labour government, it’s becoming even harder. From job taxes and increasing red tape to unclear legislation, Labour simply doesn’t understand what businesses need to grow and succeed.

The Conservatives are on the side of business. We recognise that businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I will continue doing everything I can to support them. I often meet with local companies to hear directly what they need from government, so that I can push for this in Parliament.

News

Hospitality is hurting

I have been visiting hospitality businesses and tourism destinations across Faversham and Mid Kent, and their story is the same: they are drowning under ever increasing costs.Many of these increased costs are down to choices made by this government - like the jobs tax, which has increased the cost o

Small Business Saturday

Today is Small Business Saturday which is a great opportunity to get out and shop in local shops to buy the things we need for Christmas.

Axe the Farm Tax

This is Rachel Reeves' last chance to think again and axe the farm tax.Generations of farmers, like David in my constituency, have spent their whole lives building their family businesses. She should think again and axe the tax.

Backing business in Parliament

Businesses are telling me they are struggling. Over the last 18 months many have seen their business rates double, have been hard hit by the rise in employer national insurance (the ‘jobs tax’) and seen huge increases in energy bills.

Supporting UK Blackcurrant Growers

Many of us know the joy of a cold Ribena on a hot day. But have you ever wondered where the blackcurrants come from? It may be closer than you expect.  Just outside Teynham*, for instance, is one of the 32 farms in the UK which grows blackcurrants for Ribena.

Defending our local pubs

Pubs are at the heart of communities, yet the Chancellor is raising taxes on 1,000 pubs in Kent and our fantastic ones in Faversham and Mid Kent are struggling.They’ve just been hit with paying higher National Insurance Contributions, a higher National Minimum Wage and business rates which are doubl

Standing up for nurseries, care providers and hospices

We forced a vote in Parliament this week to protect hospices, charities, care providers and small businesses from Labour’s punishing jobs tax.Parents in Faversham and Mid Kent have contacted me worried they won’t be able to afford the increase in nursery fees.

The Employment Rights Bill

This week we’re going to be debating the Government’s new Employment Rights Bill in Parliament. That Bill might sound like a good thing, but in practice it is going to make it harder for businesses to employ people.