Posts Tagged ‘economy’

A Planning Regulation Revolution.

I  welcome the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework. Under plans announced by Greg Clark, Minister for Decentralisation, planning rules have been transformed and simplified into a short 50 page document. Previously the collected rules ran to thousands of pages. The minister also outlined new measures to free up land for housing and business development whilst removing barriers for growth and enabling sustainable development. The document goes on to include a ‘town centre first’

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Quango bureaucrats should hand back bonuses

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

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Knock-on effect benefitting Great Yarmouth

Defence spending helps local businesses

For people who are not political anoraks, debates in Westminster Hall may seem rather obscure or unnecessary. Yet, it gives Members of Parliament an opportunity to raise issues of particular importance to their constituency or other topics that wouldn’t normally be discussed in the main House of Commons. The debates are short and to the point, requiring a Government Minister to respond. Although a relatively new innovation, they are now a vital part of our

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Nexus centre will connect students with engineering

Work starts on training centre in Gorleston

I couldn’t miss the opportunity of getting behind the controls of a JCB to cut the first sod as construction work starts for the building of the Nexus Centre in the Beacon Park. This £700,000 engineering skills centre, for 14-19 year olds, is a major project for East Consortium a group of local schools and colleges in the Great Yarmouth area. Boosted by government funding for vocational education the centre will provide training and apprenticeship

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Policy and porridge

Brandon meets local tourism operators at policy breakfast

Over twenty local hotel and guesthouse owners joined me for breakfast at the Furzedown Hotel, as I hosted my latest policy breakfast. These are a regular opportunity for me to listen to people from a particular business sector or professional background. Recent breakfasts have included meetings with local GPs and headteachers. As the Great Yarmouth economy is reliant on tourism, this meeting was important on getting feedback from people who have first-hand experience. These people

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It’s not just the Treasury that can boost the economy

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

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Global interest in local enterprise zone

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.

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Time to be clear about pension charges

This afternoon I will be leading a debate in Westminster Hall about how the Government and pensions industry needs to provide more transparent pension charge information, if we are to encourage a new generation to save for their retirement. I have set out the case for clearer and more understandable pension charges in an article for ePolitix this morning.

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A new right-to-buy revolution

Giving the front door keys to a new generation of homeowners

Plans announced to restore the right to buy policy are welcome. The policy revealed by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement is one of a raft of measures aimed to help restore vibrancy to the housing market. Under the proposals discounts of up to 50% will be offered on social housing, all money generated is earmarked to be spent on the construction of further social housing. When first launched, this policy allowed a new generation

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Extra investment for East Anglia infrastructure

Massive boost for East Anglia infrastructure

An important part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Statement was the added investment in large scale infrastructure projects. East Anglia will benefit from massive funding for the A11 and A14. Later in the week, I made an early please for dual carriageway work on the A47. In the current economic climate, any such improvement is a long way away, but it would complete the last piece in the road network jigsaw puzzle of

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