Archive for August, 2009

The future of business and manufacturing: Listening to local business

Posted by mainuser on August 25, 2009  |   Comments Off
Listening to local business on what Government can do to help business and manufacturing in the UK

Listening to local business on what Government can do to help business and manufacturing in the UK

Prospective MP Charlotte Leslie joined Shadow Minister for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, John Penrose MP, at a conference at Airbus, to discuss how Government can help manufacturing and business in the UK.

Dozens of local businesses and manufacturers attended the conference, to give their insight into the challenges facing business and manufacturing during the global economic downturn. They were also able to hear from Shadow Minister, John Penrose, about Conservative policies to help business flourish.

The conference enjoyed a wide-ranging discussion, hearing from each of the businesses represented, as well as a graduate employee from Airbus.

One theme that emerged strongly was the burden of regulation.

Stunningly,  according to the Government’s own statistics, there have been a total of 34,583 regulations introduced since 1997 – more than 14 new regulations for every working day under Labour.

The cost of this regulation has been estimated by the British Chambers of Commerce at over £65 billion since 1998, and according to the Federation of Small Businesses,  the average small business wastes seven hours a week complying with red tape and paperwork.

There have been a total of 34,583 regulations introduced since 1997 – more than 14 new regulations for every working day under Labour.

Tax was also mentioned as a hurdle: In fact, the CBI estimates that as a result of Labour policies British businesses now pay an extra £10 billion per year in tax. In 1997 the UK had the 4th lowest corporate tax rate in the EU; now it has only the 19th lowest.

John Penrose responded by outlining Conservative plans to cut corporation tax and simplify the tax system under which businesses labour, which is currently one of the most complicated in the developed world.

Dozens of local businesses attended the Airbus business and manufacturing conference

Dozens of local businesses attended the Airbus business and manufacturing conference

International aerospace giant, Airbus, hosted the event, and the key aim of the day was to discuss the future of manufacturing in Britain, and how we can re-balance the nation’s income more evenly between financial services and manufacturing, to ensure greater stability in the future.

Several employers went further and expressed their alarm that they are compelled to give school-leaver employees literacy and numeracy classes.

Many businesses and employers expressed dismay and concern that practical and technical skills are still not seen as a first-rate route to employment, but that manufacturing still carries the deeply inaccurate and out-dated image of an ‘oily-rag’ industry.  The conference agreed that providing more apprenticeships, and support for businesses to offer them, is vital to securing a highly skilled work-force for our future.

Several employers went further and expressed their alarm that they are currently compelled to give school-leaver employees literacy and numeracy classes. They asked why such basics had not been learned in secondary school and why businesses should have to carry the burden of what should have been achieved during education.

However,  acknowledging the  consequences of the economic downturn, and severe state of the nation’s debt,  John Penrose outlined the need for looking to wealth-creation, re-financing the nation, strengthening the regulation governing The City, and measures for ensuring that banks lend to businesses to help them grow.

Commenting, Charlotte Leslie said:

” This was a very valuable conference. The people who know best how business works, and how Government can help support industry and enterprise in this country are not the bureaucrats or the politicians, but those in business, manufacturing and industry. The next Government will not have money to thow at problems, because the money has all been spent. Therefore it will be vital to get the structures right and listen to those who know the day to day realities of working in business and manufacturing.”

Henbury’s Community Fun Day is fun and much, much more…

Posted by mainuser on August 24, 2009  |   Comments Off
Pupils from Henbury school cook up healthy and delicious dishes

Pupils from Henbury school cook up healthy and delicious dishes

” I would just like to thank everyone involved for making Henbury Fun-day just that:  a really fun day, and more.

There was something for everyone: From bouncy castles to healthy-eating tents, Fire Engines and Police-vans, brick-a-brack stalls and a prize vegetable display. I particularly enjoyed the Name the Marrow Contest…

Cllr. Chris Windows and I try our hand at winning the teddy

Cllr. Chris Windows and I try our hand at winning the teddy

The day was not only fun, it was packed full of information and help; The police were there to talk with residents, as were the Fire Brigade, to discuss their work and how we can all lessen the risk of becoming a victim of fire in our homes.

Discussing police progress on tackling Crow Lane crime

Transition Bristol produced some excellent reusable bags, featuring an award winning design by a Henbury pupil, and were there encouraging people to sign their petition to protect our green space. Needless to say, I signed up and am a full supporter.

I was particularly impressed with the healthy eating tent, set up by Henbury School pupils, under the watchful supervision of Nick Merrick, Henbury School’s multi-talented community police officer.

I sampled some delicious food, and pinched the recipe for a very healthy banana and mango smoothie. Henbury pupils really bust the myth that healthy eating is boring eating.

I also managed to catch up with the local police to discuss with them progress being made on tackling Henbury’s youth crime issues.

So thank you again, all involved for a fun, informative and memorable day for the whole community.

Below are more photos to give you a flavour of the day…

A Crow Lane bag for life
Alas, it turned out that the marrows were not called Petronella and Roderick, as I guessed.

Alas, it turned out that the marrows were not called Petronella and Roderick, as I guessed.

Willow tree surgery stallTechnicolour hair day

Charlotte talks to BBC Radio Bristol about the ongoing challenge of youth crime

Posted by mainuser on August 17, 2009  |   Comments Off

Charlotte Leslie talks to BBC Radio’s Steve Lefevre about the ongoing challenge to tackle youth crime in Henbury.