growth – Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon KCB

Dr Dambisa Moyo

Michael with Dr Danbisa Moyo at the House of Commons

Michael had the pleasure of chairing a fascinating discussion from the economist and New York Times bestselling author, Dr Dambisa Moyo, recently in Parliament.

The event, hosted by the Henry Jackson Society, saw Dr Moyo lay out her ideas on how to tackle the current global economic and political problems we face. Drawing on her latest book, The Edge of Chaos: Why Democracy is Failing to Deliver Economic Growth – And How to Fix It, Dr Moyo outlined her 10-point plan, which argued that economic growth can only be achieved by overhauling liberal democracy.

Sir Michael said: “It was an honour to chair this event and listen to the ideas presented by Dr Moyo. We should all be taking seriously her proposals – including politicians.”

Michael Welcomes Funding for Fort Halstead

Michael has welcomed the Government’s decision to provide over one and a half million pounds for the redevelopment of Fort Halstead.

The announcement came as the Government allocated £102 million of Local Growth Deal funding for nineteen projects in the South East.

The £1.53 million for Fort Halstead will enable the building of 450 homes, a hotel, a new village centre and a business park with 1,100 high-tech jobs, making it Sevenoaks’ largest new employment site.

Michael said: “This is excellent news for Sevenoaks. Redeveloping Fort Halstead is a key local priority. This funding will kickstart the process, delivering the new housing and jobs we need in the area.”

Column: Building On Our Achievements In 2017

In his latest column for the Sevenoaks Chronicle, Michael has written about the need to build on Sevenoaks’ progress this year:

2016 was a very successful year for Sevenoaks. In an unsettled year nationally, our local economy remained strong, with unemployment falling to another record low.

Though there will be challenges, I believe 2017 could be even better.

After so many years of campaigning, in September our new grammar school annexe will finally open. I visited the site just before Christmas and I could already see that it will be a great addition to the remarkable range of high-quality school choice that is now on offer in Sevenoaks. There is still more to do to secure grammar provision for boys, though, and that will be one of my top priorities this year.

Meanwhile, discussions on the new rail franchise will be a great opportunity to lobby for the extension of the Oyster network and the many other rail improvements we want to see. I look forward to continuing to make the case for passengers this year.

With an ageing population increasing pressure on the NHS and our care system, we need to continue to protect Sevenoaks Hospital. It is a much-loved feature of our town – but it also has an important role to play in relieving pressure on facilities at Pembury and Darent Valley. Carrying on making that argument will be vital this year.

Finally, we need to make sure the District Council develops a robust and reasonable Local Plan that will give us the homes we need without encouraging inappropriate development in our town and in our villages in the years to come.

With all of these priorities and more, I am looking forward to continuing to represent Sevenoaks this year. After a successful 2016, let’s build on our achievements in 2017

Christmas and New Year Message

Chamber Reception_14-7-16_082 — Michael speaking at the Sevenoaks Chamber of Commerce Summer Reception.

In a sometimes unsettled year nationally, Sevenoaks, Swanley, Westerham and our villages have continued to go from strength to strength. Unemployment remains at record low levels. Our new grammar annexe is being constructed and will open next year. Our local economy is vibrant and prosperous.

Building on this progress will require more work in the New Year. Bringing fast broadband to all parts of the constituency is still a top priority. We must also continue to work hard to protect our much-loved Green Belt from inappropriate development. Most importantly, though, the spring will see consultation on the new rail franchise and I will use this opportunity to push for the extension of the Oyster network to Sevenoaks.

At the end of a successful year for Sevenoaks and Swanley, I would like to wish all of my constituents a very happy Christmas and New Year. I am always proud to represent this constituency and I look forward to being as active as ever throughout the area in 2017.

Sir Michael Fallon MP

Supporting Local Businesses at Christmas

Michael showed his support for local businesses earlier this month with a visit to Sevenoaks town centre.

He met business owners on from high street shops and small businesses such as The Chinaman, Sevenoaks Bookshop, Barkers and Grace to talk about the busy lead up to Christmas and their efforts to attract customers. He was joined by Sevenoaks District Council Leader, Cllr Peter Fleming and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Cllr Roddy Hogarth.

Michael said: “I was pleased to visit these thriving local businesses at such a busy time of the year. They really are the lifeblood of Sevenoaks’ economy and this was an excellent opportunity to hear about their latest progress.”

Michael Welcomes Heathrow Announcement

Michael has welcomed the Government’s decision to support a new runway at Heathrow.

Michael said: “This is the right decision. Airport expansion will boost our economy, showing that Britain is open for business. With its links to every part of the country, expanding Heathrow will provide the extra capacity and choice we need.”

Column: Local Development Should Reflect Local Priorities

In his latest column for the Sevenoaks Chronicle, Michael has written about the need to protect the Green Belt:

Like many in Sevenoaks, I was concerned by the suggestion that our district council is considering allowing swathes of new housing on the 300 sites that were submitted earlier this year for possible development, including many on Green Belt land.

While more homes are needed to cope with a rising population, the idea that 12,400 new sites in the District would be developed by 2035 led to understandable alarm. We love our town and villages with the beautiful countryside that surrounds them. The large amount of Green Belt land in this area is one of the many things that makes my constituency one of the nicest places to live in the country.

But it is important to remember that this number is merely an initial target, calculated using national figures without accounting for local constraints.

It is vital therefore that the council undertakes a proper, methodical process to develop its plan. If its plan isn’t sound, unwanted development could run rife, with applications governed by national policies, not local priorities.

We need to get this right. But I am confident the council’s work will demonstrate that the constraints presented by our large areas of Green Belt and AONB make it impossible for so many houses to be built.

We also need to ensure that this process stands up to local scrutiny so that people can have confidence in the final plan. The public consultation that will take place next year must not merely pay lip service to the legitimate concerns of local residents.

Of course we need some more housing. But there are still many brownfield sites awaiting development and any development needs to respect our local priorities and the characteristics that make our town what it is.

At the general election last year, I promised the people of Sevenoaks that I would fight to protect the Green Belt from inappropriate development. I intend to keep that promise.

Good News in Latest Broadband Expansion Figures

Michael welcomed figures released this week showing that tens of thousands of homes and businesses in Sevenoaks and Swanley are now able to benefit from superfast broadband coverage.

The Government and local authorities are investing £1.7 billion to bring superfast broadband to as many people as possible across the UK. The Kent element of the national programme has been allocated over £17 million.

In the Sevenoaks constituency, this will ensure that 14,726 premises will benefit from superfast coverage by June 2017, of which 11,724 have now received coverage. This is in addition to the 23,584 premises that have received it under the commercial programme.

In the three months to June specifically, 1,769 premises across the constituency have gained coverage.

Michael said: “I welcome that the Government’s commitment to superfast broadband expansion is continuing to benefit people across my constituency. It is crucial to keeping our local economy growing and will make life easier, cheaper and faster. I will continue to advocate further expansion over the coming years.”

Success for Sevenoaks Constituency in New Business Figures

Michael welcomed new figures showing that 60 people have started their own business after being helped off benefits in his Sevenoaks constituency, with the support of the Government’s New Enterprise Allowance.

Since its introduction in April 2011, the allowance has helped 73,000 people on out of work benefits across the country to set up their own businesses. Individuals are supported by a business mentor and receive 26 weeks of financial support.

Michael said: “It is excellent news that so many people in my constituency have not only left a life on benefits, but have also started to make such a positive contribution to our economic success. This is the latest example of the Government supporting those who want to work. I wish all those who have been helped by the New Enterprise Allowance every success.”

Business is Great Britain

Speaking in support of local businesses at the setting for the final of the British Touring Car Championships held at Brands Hatch from 10-13th October Michael said: “The Business is Great Britain campaign, which launched last year, now provides a comprehensive website that makes it easier for small businesses to access the support that will help them grow through exporting, hiring and business planning. They will also be able to see how services such as those offered through UK Trade & Investment, Growth Accelerator and the National Apprenticeship Service can help their business to grow.”

“Alongside this campaign the Government has unveiled a range of new support this year for small businesses. It has:

Introduced a new Employment Allowance which will put up to £2,000 back into your business: 450,000 small businesses will pay no national insurance at all;
boosted the number of apprenticeships to 1.8m since 2010 and driven up the quality of training every apprentice receives. Grants are now offered of up to £1,500 to support firms that hire an apprentice;
Developed Growth Vouchers to help business owners to find and pay for strategic advice to grow their businesses;
Introduced a new range of measures to make it easier for people to run a business from home, from updated planning guidance to clearer business rates;
Made it easier to access finance. New Start-up loans have been offered to over 20,-000 businesses and £100m has been drawn down;
Helped thousands of businesses to break into new markets, with local support from UKTI’s international trade advisors.”

“This already builds on the significant progress which has been made int he last four years. This includes:

Targeting 3,000 rules to be scrapped or amended – this is the first Government in modern history to reduce the overall amount of regulation, saving businesses over £1.2 billion;
Extending small business rate relief until 2015. This is saving £ millions for small businesses;
Introducing the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, R&D tax credits and Annual Investment Allowance;
Establishing the British Business Bank – through their finance programmes £782m of additional lending and investment is available to smaller businesses
Cutting corporation tax to 20 per cent, making the UK tax system one of the most competitive int he world, the joint lowest in the G20.”

He also welcomed Bill Fox, MD for Kent Business Academy which offers help to businesses looking to improve and grow, Darryl Eales, Advisory Chairman for Lloyds Development Company, Guy Townley from the Intellectual Property Office, Alan Gow, Series Director for BTCC and Nick Kelly, MD of AFIA Ltd who has secured £125,000 from the Escalate fund to help it grow his mobility equipment business.