Help for local businesses to grow

Helen visiting a local foundry

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

Taking that next step can often be a challenge - whether it’s barriers to trade, changes to local and national policy, or finding the right skills. I want to work to help bridge these gaps, with support from our local councils and government ministers. When I was a minister in the Treasury I spent a huge amount of time looking at this, and how getting it right leads to more jobs and a stronger local economy.

In the coming weeks I'm going to be surveying businesses locally about the barriers they're facing - but in the meantime I'd love to hear from you if you've got something specific I could be doing to help.

News

Spring Statement helps tackle cost of living

These are difficult times – inflation and surging energy bills are putting a squeeze on households and businesses across the country.

Our Spring Statement helps people with the cost of living now, while taking the long-term decisions that will boost growth and share prosperity.

A helping hand for the Hot Tin

The past two years have been incredibly tough for many of our local businesses.

I recently called into the Hot Tin in Faversham to see how this fabulous local café and music venue is getting back on its feet after the pandemic.

3,000 ‘Kickstarters’ in Kent

Latest stats show that over 3,000 young people across Kent have benefitted from our Kickstart scheme.

It was great to be back at the West Faversham Community Centre last week – talking to young people about how the work placements provided by Kickstart are helping them find jobs.

Backing Small Business Saturday

From booksellers to butchers, small businesses make the places we love special.

I called into a number of shops and businesses in Faversham to mark Small Business Saturday on 4 December.

New role to lead recovery from Covid

I’m delighted to have been appointed Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury.

The Treasury is at the heart of our efforts to boost growth and level up the economy as we recover from the pandemic.

£4 million funding boost for our schools

I’m delighted that our schools are getting a 5.8 per cent increase in funding next year.

This is another step to getting fairer funding for Kent’s schools, which have for years received less money than schools in other parts of the country.

End of the road for temporary closures

I’m pleased that Swale Borough Council has listened to people and businesses in Faversham and decided to reverse the temporary road closures in the town.

New Art and Technology Block will help pupils achieve their potential

It was a huge privilege to open the new Art and Technology Block at The Abbey School in Faversham earlier this month.

This fantastic new facility will help give pupils at the school the best possible place to learn and put the school on a strong footing for the future.