High Street improvement…
There is much to be proud of in South Devon. Whether it be our landscape, climate, the variety of businesses, or the fact that we are a draw to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. I have long extolled the fact that we are not just a tourist economy, but one that has old and new businesses providing long-term opportunities for all skills and age groups.
While our tourist and hospitality businesses are a large chunk of the local economy, they are not the only part of it. Our high-tech businesses whether in pharmaceutical or photonics are genuinely nationally leading, and the growth of our farming and fishing sectors is helping to put the highest quality of fish and meat onto dinner tables across the country. But perhaps most remarkably our high streets are bucking the national trend of decline. This weekend past I noted how Brixham High Street has begun its fight back and already new shops and organisations are sprouting up.
From the new greengrocer to the banking hub, there is a sense that there need be no natural decline of our high street. Brixham, through its able Chamber of Commerce and Town Council, inch by inch are taking steps to drive business back into the town. Without wanting to jinx the progress, it looks already like it is working. Coupled with the money from the Levelling Up Fund and Partnership, the future is bright, not just for this town’s high street but for every single one in South Devon. If only others would follow our lead!
Finding the staff
Those who operate in the high season have often commented that finding staff has become difficult. I often point out that our trade deals that have recently been signed with Australia, Japan, Korea and New Zealand all provide generous clauses around youth mobility that might help when it comes to being shorthanded.
As a result of the deals that we have signed, those owning hotels, running restaurants or simply in need of staff year-round can now benefit from the Youth Mobility Scheme that will welcome those from the aforementioned countries for two years (3 for Australia and New Zealand) without having to have any proof of work. This scheme will operate for those between the ages of 18-35 and will provide the staffing we need while also strengthening the cultural ties between the UK and other countries.
Our trade deals are thick in detail but once explored they can provide huge new details that will benefit many of our local businesses.
Celebrating 200 years of the RNLI
Next week Parliament will mark 200 years of the RNLI in Westminster Hall with a debate marking our appreciation for the heroic work that is undertaken by volunteers from across the country. Each and every year we have held debates in Westminster to celebrate their work and to note that the RNLI serves to keep people at sea safe.
We owe them a huge debt of thanks and I look forward to being able to speak up on the RNLI stations of South Devon.
As your local MP, I continue to hold regular constituency surgeries so if you would like to see me, please either call 01803 868 378 or email anthony.mangnall.mp@parliament.uk