Watford is a great place to do business and I have been really pleased to see more and more companies investing in the area. When I visit businesses I hear that there is growing confidence that the local and national economy is on its way up. There is a long way to go but the signs are encouraging.
In the news
* Investing in Watford, 100s of New Jobs Created
* Upcoming Events
* Education Minister Praises Early Years Care in Watford
* Europe Referendum Bill Latest
*Out and About in Watford
Investing in Watford; Hundreds of New Jobs
This week I attended the opening of the new Morrisons store on Ascot Road in Watford. The store has created jobs for hundreds of people in Watford and will help regenerate that area of town, which will also be boosted with the new transport links when the Croxley Rail Link is finished in 2016.
Morrisons are just one of the many companies choosing to invest in Watford, creating new jobs and boosting the local economy. Others include
· B & M store has taken over the vacant TJ Hughes on Watford High Street which has created 50 new jobs
· Wickes are moving their HQ to the Colonial Way estate bringing 250 new jobs with them
· Direct Save Telecom, a communications company in Carpenders Park, who are looking to recruit over 100 new staff
This level of investment will make a real difference in Watford, both in terms of the number of jobs it will create and the knock on effect it will have on the local economy. Whilst unemployment has been falling in Watford, hundreds of new vacancies will be good news for anyone searching for a job. If anybody would like further information about jobs available, please get in touch.
Coming Up
· Small Business Saturday takes place on 7th December and I am encouraging as many local businesses to get involved as possible. On the day I will be visiting some companies in Watford and would like to hear from you about how other people will be taking part. Further details about how to get involved can be found here:
· My next public meeting takes place on Saturday 7th December, 11.30am at Carpenders Park Community Hall, Station Road/ Gibbs Couch, Carpenders Park, WD19 5EG
· The Chancellor will deliver his Autumn Statement on Thursday 5th December. I want to hear from you if you have any thoughts or questions about any announcements made on the day, please email me – richard@richardharrington.org.uk or tweet me @richard4watford
Minister Praises Watford Primary School
Education Minister Elizabeth Truss MP visited Knutsford Pre-School on 13th November as they celebrate 40 years serving the local community. On the visit we saw several classes in action, as well as helping with a maths lesson for reception children and meeting with staff and head teacher Gabby Franklin.
The Pre-School was established in January 1974 as an education charity to support local children with their early learning, and has grown to the outstanding facility it is today, being one of the best pre-schools in the Watford area.
Following the visit, Elizabeth Truss said: “I visit a lot of schools as part of my job, but Knutsford really does standout and is incredibly impressive. It’s a really fantastic environment and it’s been great to see firsthand what you are doing here which is clearly working so well.”
After the visit the Minister and I went to West Watford to meet with representatives of all six local children’s centres across Watford, where we discussed the extension of two year old funding which was introduced by the Department for Education last month. All agreed that two year funding was incredibly beneficial, and that the children’s centres are becoming the hub for all early years needs.
Jodie Noakes, of Westfield Children’s Centre, showed the Minister how this is working in Watford by introducing her to maternity staff based at the Centre as well as going to see the new maternity hub which has been recently completed.
Europe Referendum Bill
Today was the third Friday this month that MPs have spent in Parliament working on the European Union Referendum Bill. The Bill, which allows for a full ‘in/out’ referendum in 2017 on Britain’s membership of the EU passed its third reading today in the House of Commons and will now be assessed in the Lords.
This Government has made significant progress in changing the relationship between the UK and Europe including cutting the the EU budget whilst protecting the British rebate and bringing greater sovereignty to the UK. This week the Prime Minister has been outlining measures in the Immigration Bill that will further change the relationship including restrictions on the benefits that can be received by EU migrants.
I have supported the Bill as I believe that by 2017, when the above and other renegotiations have occurred and it is clear what a future within the EU would look like, we will be in the right position to give the UK the chance to decide.
My Diary
Since my last email, my diary has included
- Meeting with Network Rail to discuss upcoming work around Watford Junction as well as issues raised by constituents about Euston station. The organisation are providing information which I will report back to you
- Visiting Divine Saviour primary school to hand out awards at their school assembly
- Helping judge the Rotary Young Chef competition, based at West Herts College
- Visiting Demand in Abbots Langley, who create and modify equipment for disabled people, to make their lives easier and help do what so many of us are able to take for granted