Justin Tomlinson MP was pleased to join two business events on Friday:
1) Business West for their Swindon MPs and Councillors Q&A breakfast event alongside Sir Robert Buckland MP, Member of Parliament for South Swindon, and Cllr David Renard, the Leader of Swindon Borough Council.
Business West aims to bring together leaders to create a prosperous region where businesses and communities thrive and was hosted by Arval BNP Paribas Group, who specialise in electric vehicles.
Justin covered the Covid challenges the government faced, highlighting the £400m spent on furlough which supported 11.2m people, the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe, the situation in Ukraine, record employment and the recent cost of living measures before taking questions predominantly focused on planning and free school meals.
2) The Barclays Business Luncheon roundtable which was attended by business people from a variety sectors, alongside representatives from the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Swindon & Wiltshire LEP.
Justin covered a wide variety of questions, with members present raising issues such as staff resourcing, inefficiencies with government departments, the impact of the rail strike, cost of living challenge, energy crisis, the Rwanda migration plan, and lack of focus on inward investment for Swindon town.
Justin Tomlinson MP said:
"It's great to be able start doing these events again. I always welcome the opportunity to meet with local businessmen and women to hear their concerns and answer their questions on the great work the Government is doing.
The appetite of local businesses to build back better was clear to see. The Swindon economy is strong, diverse and ambitious and with the support of both the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and Barclays I have no doubt we will continue to see new jobs and opportunities being created."
