At the recent Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee meeting, Alexander Stafford MP sought answers from experts to a multitude of important questions associated with the impact of coronavirus on businesses and workers in Rother Valley.
Alexander questioned Paul Everitt, CEO of ADS Group, and Gareth Stace, Director General at UK Steel, about the Government help needed to rebuild consumer confidence and stimulate growth in manufacturing, both economically and environmentally. Mr Everitt called for increased Government investment in research and development activities, which will generate demand for high-end capability and lay the groundwork for operating at net zero. Mr Stace stressed the importance of public procurement, urging the UK Government to prioritise British steel for the large number of post-COVID infrastructure projects. He noted that this would be a good use of taxpayers’ money as it will support British industry and jobs whilst boosting the UK economy. It will also benefit the environment due to cutting out the need to import steel huge distances.
Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, informed Alexander that the creation of a ‘national skills task force’ and the prioritisation of apprenticeships would help to protect British skills and expertise in the event of a large hit to the manufacturing sector. Fintan Slye, Executive Director at National Grid, Audrey Gallacher, Interim CEO of Energy UK, and Jonathan Brearley, CEO at Ofgem, all spoke to Alexander in support of renewable energy’s role in our economic recovery, as it will create jobs, secure our energy supply, and provide cheaper power to consumers. This can be done in large part by 2025.
Speaking after the meeting, Alexander Stafford, Conservative MP for Rother Valley, said: “Industry, such as steel, is hugely important to Rother Valley. The Government must continue its work of supporting and protecting these skilled manufacturing jobs, whilst also looking to promote Rother Valley as the new hub for the renewables industry. It is clear to me that buying British materials is crucial to our economic recovery post COVID-19 and to protecting our national supply chain as we retake our place in the world post-Brexit. We must complement our existing industry in Rother Valley with a green recovery which will create further high-quality jobs and support the local economy, providing cheaper energy for the consumer and allowing us to export our expertise abroad.”
Alexander's contributions can be found at 10:24am and 11:01am of the stream: https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/a6e90b62-7d16-40c3-81fa-1ffac68d3…
Alexander welcomes any further business queries from constituents on [email protected] and is working hard to promote Rother Valley’s economy.
