"Conservatives will reignite the entrepreneurial engines"

Today (Monday 15 March), local Conservative MEPs Geoffrey Van Orden and Vicky Ford welcomed businesses from across the East of England to a conference in Cambridge to listen to business concerns and explain how Conservatives would help businesses to prosper.

Keynote speakers were Caroline Spelman MP*, Shadow Secretary for Communities and Local Government, Jonathan Djanogly MP*, Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, Matthew Hancock*, Mark Spelman* and David Morall* from the East of England Development Agency who spoke about the current funding process.

Geoffrey Van Orden said:

"Cambridge is a recognised global innovative centre and therefore an ideal place to bring together businesses from across the region. The UK economy is in a poor state and needs urgent attention - Conservatives will reignite the entrepreneurial engines. It is business that will lead us out of the recession - in particular, our innovative capacity -and government needs to provide the right framework and get off the backs of business. That means cutting red tape, encouraging access to finance, and making it easier for businesses to create jobs. As MEPs we know that European legislation is a particular worry for businesses and that is an area that we are actively addressing."

Vicky Ford added:

"We wanted to ask businesses what we could do for them; and I'm delighted at the debate and feedback we've had today. I think the delegates came away with a clearer idea of how the Conservatives want to help business thrive again in this country. We heard many references to, for example, the need for improved high-speed broadband access and better access to research funding, and these are areas that we are focusing on."

Nick Hillman*, Conservative PPC for Cambridge commented:

"I want Cambridge to be at the heart of Britain's economic revival. We need to capitalise on its global recognition."

END

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