Member Article

Prime Minister highlights spirit of enterprise is alive and well in Wirral

Wirral Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to the area on Wednesday (30th July) at specially arranged Q&A session to engage in an open conversation about issues facing UK businesses.

Hosted by Wirral Chamber Chair, Asif Hamid, and its President, The Rt Hon Esther McVey, Minister for Employment, Wirral Chamber members and guests were told by Mr Cameron that he firmly believed that the spirit of enterprise was alive and well in Wirral. In his opening address he also took time to praise the Wirral Chamber of Commerce for its work in supporting the growth of local businesses.The Q&A took place at Hillbark Hotel in Frankby where Mr Cameron spoke for 45 minutes to an audience of around 80 leading business people, and went on to take unscripted questions from the floor.

This included themes for discussion on areas such as training and apprenticeships, lower energy costs, shale gas development, the potential impact of the HS2 for the region, the influence universities can have on business development, and answer any questions that they had on issues that affected them and their businesses.

Amongst the audience were a mix of Chamber members and guests which included The Contact Company, Andrew Collinge, DLA Piper, Park Group PLC, KPMG, Cull Paperless Solutions, Sovex Limited, Heap and Partners, The Grange & Pyramids, Designated Associates, Oxygen8, Sun Valley, Liverpool University, Tranmere Rovers FC, Ultromex, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Smylie Ltd, Magenta Living, and Sainsburys.

Mr Cameron’s visit to Wirral comes just a few weeks after Wirral Chamber organised a similar event with George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.

In his introduction Mr. Cameron said that he considered the government’s work and initiatives as being good for the North-West and highlighted that how the region had developed more apprenticeships than any other area in the country. The government was putting in place positive initiatives to build a workforce needed for a modern economy, but it was still a work in progress.

The development of shale gas was discussed, projects about which he firmly believed that Britain should be following the example set by the USA, which has dug 100,000 shale wells as opposed to Europe, which is lagging way behind with around 100. He agreed that it is a controversial subject but it is also an opportunity which must be looked at.

When asked about direct rail links being built as part of the HS2 project, the Prime Minister reminded the room that HS2 is something that will be extremely beneficial to cities in the North such as Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool and that they should join forces to create a bigger business network.

Esther McVey, Minister for Employment, said, “As President of Wirral Chamber of Commerce, I was delighted to bring The Prime Minister, David Cameron to Wirral West to meet with local business leaders. The Government has listened to business across the UK and has helped create the conditions to allow businesses to grow, resulting since 2010 in the creation of a staggering number of 2 million jobs. But the Prime Minister made it clear very whilst speaking to local businesses that he wants to do more to help our local economy grow; help new businesses set up, employ more people and take on apprentices.

She added, “He asked for the Wirral Chamber of Commerce and its members to feedback on what more they felt needed to be done for this to happen, and no one was shy offering their suggestions. It was a truly open Q&A session with local business leaders putting their views, suggestions and concerns to the Prime Minister.”

Paula Basnett, CEO of Wirral Chamber of Commerce said: “It was wonderful to hear the Prime Minister hold our businesses in such high esteem and that the spirit of enterprise was alive and well in Wirral. The enterprise, innovation and commitment of our business community is bringing success to the area and it is something we have promoted for a long time, so we were delighted that Mr Cameron agreed with us.

“It has been a great opportunity for our members and guests to speak to both Mr. Cameron and Mr Osborne over recent weeks, it shows that government is listening to what we say and that the growth of the Wirral Chamber of Commerce is also being recognised at the highest level. It is particularly pleasing to hear that the Prime Minister recognises Wirral Chamber as one of the more thriving Chamber’s in the country, with a fast growing strong membership and a very proactive service provision supporting business growth.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graham Maddrell .