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.

With that in mind please find below my 2024 survey for local business - I'd love to hear from you if you've got something specific I could be doing to help.

Helen's 2024 business survey

What sector is your business in?
How long have you been trading?
Do you feel that your business is fully consulted on local matters?
Would you be interested in joining a forum for local businesses to create a unified voice?
If possible, would you like to grow your business?
If yes, which of the following do you feel are barriers to that? (You can select more than 1)
Since the coronavirus pandemic, do you feel that footfall in your local area has:
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News

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.

Concerns about Faversham road closures need to be addressed

I know there are strong feelings about the road closures in Faversham.

Temporary closures were introduced by Swale Borough Council last summer to allow for social distancing on some of the busiest streets in the town, but there are now plans to make these closures permanent.

National recovery at the heart of Queen's Speech

National recovery is at the heart of the Government’s plans for the year ahead.

As the phenomenal success of the vaccine rollout continues, our focus is on rebuilding from the pandemic and delivering improvements that matter to people.

Helping our high streets recover

The pandemic has been tough on our high streets and village centres.

But as we continue to make progress in controlling the virus – and our vaccine rollout reaches more people every day – we can look forward to more of our shops and local businesses being able to reopen.