16/07/10 - Swindon Advertiser Weekly Article

This week we saw the welcome news that unemployment in Swindon had fallen.  The Borough saw a fall of 1,902 benefit claimants compared to this time last year, indicating a significant start to our recovery.

As part of the Emergency Budget to tackle the deficit, the Government set out clear plans to support people coming off benefits and getting back into work.  Key measures announced included: reducing the public deficit to keep interest rates down; cutting corporation tax; canceling Labour’s proposed National Insurance “jobs tax” rises; small business rate relief; and allowing new businesses to be exempt from National Insurance contributions over the first two years of trading for the first ten employees.  It is essential that we can give local businesses the confidence to expand and take on new staff, so I was pleased to see these measures welcomed by the business community.

From a personal perspective as the MP and a local resident myself, I have a key role to play in helping create new employment opportunities.  

Firstly, as public & private sector organisations seek more value-for-money, we will see many consider relocating away from expensive sites in London and the South-East and coming instead to Swindon.  The National Trust, who moved their HQ here, are a perfect example of how we can attract big national organisations to Swindon.  I will therefore work as a strong advocate promoting Swindon as a perfect business location.

Secondly, as set out in my article last week, I am keen to help lead on our much-needed town centre regeneration.  As the economy recovers and we see development take place, this will provide new employment opportunities.  In my new role as the Vice-Chair of the All Party Group for Small Shops, I will be championing new local businesses getting an opportunity to share in this growth.

Thirdly, I am keen to see more entrepreneurial skills training provided in schools, as well as re-training opportunities for adult learners, to help create the next wave of wealth generators.  They can then set up businesses and create new jobs for local residents.

I’ll be working on all these issues as one of my main priorities.

Meanwhile, on Saturday I attended ‘The Big Arts Day’ at Lydiard Park - wow, what a fantastic day!  With glorious sunshine, the event was a huge success with thousands of people enjoying the huge variety of events, performance, displays and opportunities to get stuck in.  All the volunteers and staff who had worked tirelessly to organise the event can be exceptionally proud of their efforts - a great day for Swindon!