Chloe Smith speaks up for Norwich jobs in Brexit

Chloe is pictured visiting Teknomek for a general discussion about their business and to meet staff.

 

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, today quizzed Brexit Ministers in Parliament about the impact of Brexit on the tourism industry and small businesses in Norwich.  The thriving local Norwich for Jobs campaign was praised in the exchange.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Chloe first asked about tourism jobs:

“Tourism employs 12,000 people in Norwich, where the value of the sector has grown 87% over the last ten years to over £700m and the Fine City is a top 10 destination; that’s a quarter of the city’s employment.”

“Will the Minister reassure me and Norwich employers, firstly that valuable members of staff who may be citizens of other European countries will be a priority to him, and secondly that in seeking a strong future, especially for our young people, the Government will address the skills the British workers could develop to grow Norwich’s valuable tourism industry?”

Responding to Chloe’s question, Robin Walker MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, praised the Norwich for Jobs campaign and said:

“My honourable friend is absolutely right to champion tourism in Norwich. As the Prime Minister has said, it is right that we ensure the tourism and hospitality business can access the skills they need from the EU and we make sure that young people from the UK have the right skills to work in this sector. I know my hon friend will continue to support this sectors through the Norwich for Jobs initiative and as chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Youth Employment which I enjoyed working with her on.”

In a second question, Chloe also promoted the strenth of Norwich small firms, with a manufacturing example:

“Last week I met staff at Norwich manufacturing firm Teknomek, which is small but with impressive productivity and export links to Ireland and the continent.  Firms such as this need the freest possible trade in goods and services between Britain and the EU’s member states.  Can I urge him to look for stability, security, certainty and simplicity for small businesses as they look to a future trading relationship with the EU?”

David Jones MP, Minister of State, responded:

“We fully understand the importance of these issues to SMEs including to those in her constituency. Let me repeat by saying we will be pursuing a bold and ambitious free trade agreement which will be for the benefit of firms such as those and others around the country.”

Chloe’s work in Parliament today follows her previous speeches and questions in support of other crucial employment sectors in Norwich including financial services, science, digital and tech. 

Chloe adds:

“I will continue to speak up in Parliament for the best Brexit deal for Britain, which will secure a better future for ordinary working people in north Norwich too.”