Swindon Advertiser Weekly Article - 14th October

As an MP, some of the best visits involve meeting fellow local residents who do truly great things. Whether it’s undertaking an apprenticeship, setting up a business, or supporting those in need; we’re lucky in Swindon to have so many hardworking, dedicated & aspirational people who want to do the best for our town.

Last week I had the pleasure of congratulating a group who had taken part in the Thames Water ‘Give Someone A Start’ scheme. Set up in 2012, the scheme works with long-term unemployed people by offering them a practical, hands-on experience of the world of work, as well as assessing the individual’s skill gaps to improve give them the best opportunity to find employment.

As a former small business owner myself, I how vital it is that we ensure that we ensure that every person has the fundamental skills needed to succeed.  It’s clear schemes like ‘Give Someone a Start’ are working both locally and nationally. Since I became an MP in 2010, unemployment across our town fall by 62%. This is great news and there are now an additional 8,900 people in work in Swindon today than there was six years ago.

This increase in the numbers of people in work run alongside a huge increase in the number of people setting up their own business. I was fortunate enough to be invited to officially open of another new, local business during the week. Aqualush, based at BSS House in Cheney Manor, is owned and run by Karen Hunt. It is great for me to see people taking the brave step to follow their dreams of owning their business as I appreciated just how challenging it can be.

I am very proud that we have such a great entrepreneurial spirit here in Swindon & I’m delighted the Government is taking steps to grow this. Earlier this year, we announced that from 2017, small local businesses occupying a property with a rateable value under £12,000 will pay zero business rates with tapered relief given to those in the £12-£15K bracket. This is a vital change which will allow hundreds of new start-ups to get off the ground.

I was also proud to join forces the Prospect Hospice this week to raise awareness of the valuable work of hospice care across the whole country. Hospice care is a vital lifeline, centred on the care of the individual and, crucially, on supporting their families. It’s why Prospect Hospice is a charity which is close to many people’s hearts locally and why I have worked together with the Hospice on many different occasions; helping them to raise funds and promote awareness for the incredible work they do in our community