Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithChloe Smith, Member of Parliament for Norwich North, will use a Norfolk Chamber of Commerce meeting to call for individuals and businesses to join her in looking at the challenges facing the Norfolk economy, as she sets her sights on ensuring the Norwich economy is fit for the future.
She is already working with the Norfolk and Suffolk LEP and the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce to look at the city's future industries. After the disappointing news of Britvic's and Unilever's departure from Norwich, Chloe has emphasised that there remain many exciting opportunities in city industries. She is looking to support more and better jobs coming to Norwich.
She will speak at the Chamber of Commerce MPs' Event this Friday, citing constituency examples such as Micross, who employ 60 in manufacturing specialist components for the space industry from a base in the Hellesdon Hall industrial estate.
She has invited business leaders to meet with her to examine what more can be done to make sure Norwich is productive and attractive. That meeting, date and location to be confirmed, also follows a series of Brexit Roundtables that Chloe has been holding with different sectors of our business community to explore the opportunities and challenges each of those sectors face from Brexit. Chloe's record also includes founding Norwich for Jobs, which has helped 2,000 local young people find opportunities, and chairing the Great Eastern Mainline Taskforce which has secured £1.4bn investment in our rail line and will bring 8,000 jobs to Norwich.
Ahead of the Chamber event, Chloe said:
“Norwich has taken a knock recently and there is huge sadness in seeing two manufacturing names go. Those workers need a hand right now. But the future is bright. Unemployment is at a record low and it's a fact that there are more jobs out there. It's also a fact that our city is exciting, energetic and eager. We now need to look to the next opportunities, and help Norwich to make the most of the future.
"Norfolk has benefited from Government investment in our county’s infrastructure, from the dualling of the A11, the NDR, a third river crossing in Great Yarmouth, improved rail links, our roll-out of Better Broadband that has delivered super-fast broadband to 95% of households, and more childcare for working people – but there is more to do, and it isn't only about Government. As a Norwich MP I believe strongly in local leadership and doing the hard work needed to get things done for our city.
“I want to ensure we are working together to support the exciting sectors we already have; to keep Norwich and Norfolk attractive and productive; and to support the businesses of tomorrow to begin. Let's look at the challenges ahead, and make sure the Norwich and Norfolk economy is fit for the future."