Business

rory_thehutThe 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.

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Rory works with local vets for industry reform

Rory met with local vets at Frame, Swift and Partners Veterinary Practice in Penrith to discuss issues affecting the industry both locally and nationally, and to better understand where reform is needed. Given the importance of agriculture to the local economy and to local communities, Rory Stewart used the occasion to again discuss the issues […]

Rory responds to the budget

Rory welcomed the Budget Speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne,  in particular the good news for small and medium-sized enterprises and localism initiatives. Rory said, “In Penrith and the Border, where SMEs employ 92 per cent of the private sector employees in Penrith and the Border, the Chancellor’s announcement of the employment […]

rory sets out vision for cumbria as a hub for business and the environment

Rory laid out his vision for Cumbria as a global centre for outdoor, landscape, and energy projects  in a meeting he chaired between local green businesses, social enterprise groups, representatives from Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency. Rory has already played a central role in a national pilot project which is looking to […]

cumbrian MPs launch cumbrian tourism and business APG

Following the success of ‘Cumbria Day’ held in Westminster, the six Cumbrian MPs – Rory Stewart MP, Tim Farron MP, John Stevenson MP, John Woodcock MP, Sir Tony Cunningham MP and Jamie Reed MP – have launched an ‘All Party Group’ (APG) focusing on Cumbrian tourism and business. The APG will be non-party political in […]

Press statement from Rory on DVLA Services at Local Post Offices

“I have been contacted by a great number of constituents concerned about the future of DVLA services at the Post Office, and I fully appreciate their concerns and thank them for getting in touch. Currently, DVLA is running a procurement competition for the services that are presently provided by the Post Office. It is required […]

Investment_RN

Rory Heralds Cumbrian Investment

The Government says a £3.5 million investment in Cumbria’s rural economy will create 900 jobs and almost 500 new businesses. Rory welcomed agriculture Minister Jim Paice to Blencathra today to meet with local businesses and to announce an investment of  £3.5 million into Cumbria’s rural economy, which the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce estimates will create […]

CrosbyRhousing

internet at the heart of cumbrian economy

“Let’s put Cumbria at the heart of the Internet economy,” says Rory.Rory has called upon Cumbria to make the most of its investment in broadband infrastructure. This comes in the wake of new research by AT Kearney, the consultancy, valuing the UK Internet economy at £82bn a year.This is equivalent to 6 per cent of […]