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 made time to visit and support the Dacre Hall arts and craft fair at Lanercost Priory, during his surgery roadshow across the Northern edges of his constituency. During his visit Rory was shown some of the halls stunning features, including its Tudor fireplace and frescos, before having the opportunity to browse the impressive display […]
Rory has met local finance directors from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, for a wide-ranging discussion about the Cumbrian economy and, more specifically, the issues facing small businesses in Penrith and the Border. The event, organised by local ICAEW representatives Jeanette Brown of Dodd & Co. and Keith Proudfoot, ICAEW regional […]
Rory visited Tata Steel’s Shap Fell quarry for the first time last week, meeting with the quarry’s Managers Alastair Dunn and Chris Queen in a visit that enabled Rory to see at first-hand the workings of the limestone kilns on the outskirts of Shap in his constituency. It was an opportunity for Rory to discuss with the […]
Rory visited three flourishing local Cumbrian businesses in Kingmoor Park in his constituency on Friday, guided by Chief Executive Tony Goddard and Property Manager Ross Nicholson. Design company Print Graphic showed the MP their state-of-the-art printing presses that are amongst the greenest in the UK and run virtually chemical-free. Explosive Productions introduced him to young artists […]
Yesterday Rory defended farms and estates in Penrith and the Border, fighting against a new inheritance tax. Rory had been appointed as a member of the Public Finance Committee, in charge of a detailed scrutiny of this year’s budget. He used his position to object to new proposals on estate tax, which he described as “highly damaging […]
Rory, has called on local food and grocery businesses to sign up to an industry campaign to support young unemployed people in his constituency. The initiative, entitled Feeding Britain’s Future, will see thousands of unemployed young people from across the country go into farms, factories and stores for free skills training, and Rory wants businesses […]
Rory took the opportunity to sit in on a creative wood carving workshop, run by local Cumbrian artist Alister Neville, whilst supporting the craft training done by Brampton Community Centre, and The Hut. Brampton’s The Hut provides regular workshops, ranging from embroidery to woodwork. It has an excellent set of woodworking equipment and a ceramics’ […]
Rory has congratulated the success of Brampton’s sustainable market, visiting the bustling town event during his latest street surgery, held on Saturday outside Moot Hall. Rory met with the majority of stallholders to get an sense of the market’s success, to sample and purchase their produce, and speak with the market co-ordinator Heather Tipler to discuss […]
Rory paid a visit to Shap on Monday, where he met with locals and discussed concerns with residents at his street surgery outside the Shap Co-op store. He also took the opportunity to meet with Georgina Perkins, new proprietor of the Shap Chippy, at the premises – currently being refurbished in advance of its imminent opening […]
Rory has welcomed news that Defra Ministers are to find emergency funding to help support livestock farmers to meet the costs of disposal of dead animals, particularly those affected by the recent unprecedented snowfall in areas of Cumbria; the worst-hit farmers were largely concentrated in the constituencies of Rory Stewart, Tim Farron, and Jamie Reed, […]