In the last parliament, we delivered on the referendum result, and through my membership of the International Trade Select Committee I worked for the freedom to set our own independent global trading policy. In this parliament, I have been the Ministerial Champion for the Thames Estuary to help attract investment into our region. We now have a new Thames freeport using Brexit freedoms and there have been new investments in the creative industries, green energy and construction.
Investment in our local skills base to get more people into fulfilling work and reduce our dependence on migrant labour.
Working with Havering Sixth Form College, I have achieved campaign breakthroughs to increase per-pupil funding for post-16 education so that we can equip young people with the skills they need to access fulfilling, well-paid job opportunities. More information on my campaign for post-16 education funding and the Chancellor's announcement of the single biggest funding increase for FE and sixth form colleges since 2010 can be found here.
I have collaborated with Havering College and Transport for London over their innovative Railway Academy in Harold Hill to get UK jobseekers retrained to work on big British infrastructure projects. We showcased the Academy to the Transport Secretary after inviting him to visit Havering.
We hosted our first Jobs & Apprenticeship Fair at Queen's Theatre in 2019, and plan to hold a virtual Apprenticeships Fair this year. The government will be introducing new T Levels from September 2020 to improve technical training in the UK.
A new strategy for our region that links the ports, transport hubs and logistics parks of the Thames Estuary and Eastern London to make the most of new global trading opportunities.
I successfully lobbied government for a coordinated development plan for the Thames Estuary region covering North Kent, South Essex and East London so that we can maximise the opportunities for residents from economic development, particularly when it comes to jobs, skills, quality of life and revived green spaces.
Government announced a new Thames Estuary strategic board and I became ministerial champion for the region to drive forward ambitious housing and infrastructure deals, improvements to the strategic road network, a regional industrial and skills strategy and a new Great Thames Park.
Support to local businesses who have not yet considered exporting or who would like assistance in expanding into new markets.
We held an Export Hub road show event at Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, for local businesses looking to export. The event was attended by the Trade Secretary and brought together experts on export finance, local business advisers and banks to give Havering businesses advice on how to expand into growing markets. More information on this event can be found here.
New policies on migration
I have consistently backed tougher laws to make sure our immigration policy works for our people and our economy.
Changing our approach to procurement
The government has been bound by complicated and inflexible EU rules in the way it buys goods and services. We have introduced new procurement laws that will open up more opportunities for small and medium sized businesses to deliver public sector contracts.
