The economic profile of Penrith and The Border is unique. It has very low unemployment (with many people holding down multiple jobs) and more self-employed people than almost any other constituency in Britain. Approximately 23 per cent of the population work from home, and 93 per cent work for businesses employing less than ten. A large proportion of my time is spent working with and understanding these small and medium-sized enterprises; understanding where government can do more to help, and where it needs to step back.
I am concerned about the way in which out-of-town supermarkets are affecting our traditional high streets, the difficulty many businesses are still having getting access to loans and funding, and what I see as the dangers of trying to artificially pump prime into industries and economies which simply do not exist in most parts of Cumbria.
Rory Stewart MP has commented on the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement today, welcoming in particular the initiatives that will boost productivity and connectivity for Cumbria’s rural communities and for the homes and businesses in Penrith and The Border. Speaking today, Rory said: “This is a sensible but optimistic Statement, and it will bring many benefits to […]
Rory Stewart MP has welcomed the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, and in particular the over £1 billion of new investment in ‘gold-standard broadband’ and 5G mobile coverage, both of which Rory believes will result in significant improvements to Cumbria’s hardest-to-reach homes and businesses. The investment will provide the world-class digital infrastructure that rural Britain needs, delivering improved […]
Local MP Rory Stewart on Friday visited The Outward Bound Trust’s Watermillock campus to meet with some of theteam from Penrith-based business Atkinson Building Contractors who are currently working on a £2.7million refurbishment build at the site – including the building of a new biomass boiler and pellet store, extensions to the Grade II listed main house, refurbishments to the […]
Rory Stewart has visited the ‘inspirational’ Ast Signs on Gilwilly Industrial Estate in Penrith, which the local MP recently nominated as Penrith and The Border’s Responsible Business Champion 2016. He met with Managing Director Mark Aston, and was given a guided tour of the company’s state-of-the-art premises, meeting and chatting with staff and seeing the […]
Rory Stewart MP was delighted to visit the new Screwfix Store in Penrith on Friday, which opened in January, and applauded the work it is doing to encourage Cumbrian tradespeople to take on apprentices. It is one of more than 40 new Screwfix stores to have opened in 2016 already, and is one of the […]
Rory Stewart MP has gone on record to support a new Priority Services scheme for struggling water customers being launched by United Utilies in the week of May 23rd. The programme is designed to help customers in managing debt; support customers facing mental health issues or struggling with ‘life events’ such as divorce, job loss or […]
Floods Minister and local MP Rory Stewart has officially re-opened the A591, the major Lake District route that has been closed since Storm Desmond devastated the road in December 2015. Over £250 million has now been provided to areas to make sure communities can get back on their feet and to help the North recover […]
Rory Stewart MP joined Eden Arts Director Adrian Lochhead, EDC Economic Development Portfolio-holder David Hymers, and Commercial Director of Ast Signs Adam Wellings at an informal networking lunch on Friday, which was designed to bring local business and the arts together to discuss a common visit for the arts in the Penrith area. Adrian Lochhead […]
Rory Stewart MP has celebrated the work of National Apprenticeships at an Interserve reception at the Houses of Parliament, which celebrated the importance of UK apprenticeships across all industries. It coincided with Rory’s nomination to the APPG for Corporate Responsibility’s ‘2016 Responsible Business Awards’ of Penrith-based business Ast Signs, for its dedication to young people […]
Rory Stewart MP has visited the newly re-opened Post Office, and the new branch of local butcher and grocery store Cranstons, in Brampton in his constituency, celebrating “the exciting regeneration of one of this constituency’s finest historic market towns”. Together with local councillor Mike Mitchelson, Rory tour began at the modernised post office branch on Front […]