Mark Garnier took Malcolm Harbour MEP to meet a number of Wyre Forest businesses, to see how they are coping with Gordon Brown's recession and to see if there was any way that the Conservative team can help.
Malcolm Harbour is part of Ken Clarke's business team and has demonstrated a huge amount of influence in Europe on all matters relating to business. As such, his experience and knowledge is second to none amongst British MEPs.
Mark and Malcolm visited a number of businesses, including Titan Steel Wheels in Cookley, Morgan Technical Ceramics in Stourport, SDF Automotive in southern Kidderminster and Victoria Carpets, also in Kidderminster, as well as meeting with the Worcestershire chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses.
The recession has hit Wyre Forest badly and local unemployment has doubled since the recession began. Wyre Forest is particularly vulnerable as so many people work for businesses that employ fewer than 10 staff. This makes Wyre Forest's local economy very fragile and so the success of the bigger employers is important.
The good news was that the companies felt that they have seen the worse. IN many cases, having an international market for their products has helped, but a number of recurrent issues came up.
Bureaucracy has been strangling British business for some time and it is not getting any better. Moreover, there is help for business from the government but it comes in so many forms and routes that it is increasingly difficult to find out what is available and how. Banks are still very tight with credit and this is an ongoing problem. Finally, local factors continue to be a problem, including the road system around Wyre Forest.
Speaking after the visit, Mark Garnier said: "It was incredibly good to meet with these businesses and I am very grateful t them all for their time. It is clear to me that there is opportunity out there, but that we are not through the woods yet. What is also incredibly important for the whole of Wyre Forest is that we have the help for local businesses. Our current MP lacks either business experience or the support system to be able to provide any meaningful support for businesses. That is why it is so important that Conservatives can help in every way to make sure that Wyre Forest's recovery is sound and sustained. My priorities are to help all businesses and to attract more to the district. IN that way, we can build our local economy and all Wyre Forest can enjoy the recovery when it eventually comes."
The photo shows Mark with Malcolm Harbour MEP and Chris Akers of Titan Steel Wheels.