Photo - Alan Mak MP and George Freeman MP meet local business leaders from across Havant
Business Minister George Freeman MP has given his backing to Havant’s “booming economy” following a visit to the constituency. Along with local MP Alan Mak, Mr Freeman visited Pfizer’s large site on New Lane to meet senior business leaders from the area.
The Business Minister, who has responsibility for pharmaceuticals and life sciences, praised Pfizer for their pioneering work on vaccines and their engagement with the NHS. Freeman said Havant’s economy was “booming” thanks to the presence of major international businesses – such as Pfizer, Lockheed Martin and marine manufacturers Lewmar – as well as small businesses which Mak has championed as local MP. Havant has enjoyed a boom in employment, manufacturing output and exports. The number of residents on Jobseekers’ Allowance has more than halved since 2010.
This positive economic outlook, and the opportunities this brings, were discussed at a roundtable breakfast meeting chaired by Alan Mak MP. The meeting saw Mr Mak and the Business Minister outline Government plans to help local business, whilst providing local employers such as Fasset – who manage Langstone Technology Park – an opportunity to share their thoughts on topics ranging from apprentices, getting banks to lend more to businesses, the regeneration of Market Parade, and the upcoming EU Referendum.
Mr Freeman also backed Alan Mak’s Havant Small Business Awards, taking place this Friday at South Downs College. The inaugural awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the best of local enterprise. Hundreds of residents supplied nominations for their own local favourites across twelve categories and thirty-one finalists will be competing for the prestigious awards this week.
The News are media partners of the event and readers will be kept abreast of how the finalists get on.
Reflecting on the visit, George Freeman MP said: “Alan is an outstanding local MP who has made job creation and higher living standards his top priority. He is a strong voice for the constituency in Westminster, and I was delighted to accept Alan’s invitation to visit Havant and meet local business leaders. Havant’s economy is booming, with the regeneration of Market Parade and new jobs at Dunsbury Hill Farm on the horizon.”
Alan Mak commented: “Backing local businesses and supporting the economy is my top local priority. Business Minister George Freeman’s visit to Havant is a big vote of confidence in our local economy. We’re fortunate to have large employers like Pfizer and great small businesses which will be recognised at my Small Business Awards all creating jobs and generating prosperity locally.”
Gary Medlow, Managing Director of Fasset, a Havant-based facilities management business that operates Langstone Technology Park, said “Alan's commitment to supporting our local economy is outstanding. Bringing in heavy weight government ministers allows us to hear and question the direction the government is trying to set for business.”