In the Great Yarmouth area, the tourist industry is worth an estimated £500 million to the local economy. In terms of accommodation, most people would think that visitors stay in a hotel or a local guesthouse. In fact, around half the tourists that come here on holiday stay in a static caravan in one of our excellent holiday parks. Therefore, what may seem an obscure debate about applying VAT to the sale of static caravans
As a Member of Parliament, I am used to receiving letters from companies and lobby groups asking for my support for a particular campaign or policy change. Many employ sophisticated techniques to grab your attention, they also spend a lot of money in trying to publicise their views. Therefore, it was a surprise to receive a sloppy, almost inept approach, from the Travelodge Hotel chain. My first contact from them was via a news report
New figures reveal that staff at the East of England Development Agency has received over a quarter of a million pounds in bonuses, despite being scrapped by the Conservatives shortly after the election. These payments are due to the appalling contract arrangements – instigated across the public sector – by the last Labour government. Over £1/4 million was paid to 203 staff at the East of England Development Agency since May 2010. It is shocking
This evening I am hosting a pub quiz to raise funds for the East Coast Hospice at the Albion Public House in Gorleston. I won’t just be answering questions but will spend some time on the other side of the bar serving drinks to show my support for our local pubs. As a member of the cross-party beer group in Parliament I am passionate about helping the pub trade during this difficult time. The All
Last Friday, I took a morning out of my busy schedule to talk to the children of Filby Primary School about my love and passion for reading as part of World Book Day. I met with a large group of pupils all dressed as characters from their favourite books. I spoke to them about my love of reading and had the oportunity to read them some stories. I read the pupils a range of stories including “Captain Flynn and the Pirate
The work experience program has come under pressure over the last week or so from a range of sources. All have tended to have a leftward leaning and tend towards the argument that everyone should get a fair days pay for a fair days work. In essence this is a virtuous comment and correct, but to use it in relation to work experience is to miss the point of the exercise at best and to
I have just appeared on the James Whale Drivetime Show on LBC radio to discuss the government’s work programme. There was a caller on the show before me; he revealed he was a store manager for a clothing chainstore and that previously he was sceptical about the scheme. However, from experience he now see the benefit for both his company and those placed on the scheme. From his point of view it has been an
Business bashing is a popular pastime for many, who see business as the reason for all that is wrong in our society. The latest target for activists and some elements of the media are those companies that are providing work placements for the unemployed. This Government scheme, is particularly aimed at younger people to give them the experience (and responsibility) of life in the workplace. I am amazed that the critics lambast it as being
This week the economic news is focussed on the disappointing growth figures for the last quarter of 2011. This triggered a flurry of expert and some not-so-expert advice for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider. Some advocate quick fixes that will grab the newspaper headlines but not necessarily make in long-term difference to our economy. Today, leading political website, Conservative Home, has published my article outlining why economic growth is about more than what
It’s great to read in today’s EDP that the new enterprise zone in Great Yarmouth is receiving worldwide interest, from countries as far away as China and Korea. After just a few months, we are already demonstrating that this area is important for the offshore engineering and servicing industries. It’s another step towards the extra businesses and jobs that we need to attract to Great Yarmouth.
Brandon Lewis