24 June 2021
UK Innovation Corridor
Having had a fifteen year career before coming to Parliament supporting high growth science and innovation companies in the East, and having been the UK’s first Minister for Life Sciences and a Minister for the Future of Transport with focuses on innovation and decarbonisation, I am always passionate about the enormous growth opportunities that are within the UK’s grasp in some of the most exciting emerging sectors.
That’s why I was delighted yesterday to deliver a keynote speech at the UK Innovation Corridor annual conference – titled “How can the UK Innovation Corridor grow international trade?” – and to take part in a panel discussion with the likes of Andy Williams of AstraZeneca, Brigette Bard of Biosure and Lee Myall of Kao Data.
Invited to discuss in further detail the Taskforce for Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform (TIGRR) that I have been co-chairing for the PM since the start of the year, I talked through some of the recommendations made in our official Report to the Government and how they could unlock massive growth for UK plc. (To learn more about TIGRR and see the Report, please click here)
The UK has the potential to become a ‘Science Superpower’ and the Norwich-Cambridge Tech Corridor (with Mid Norfolk right in the middle) has a big role to play. By championing the Corridor and its role within the UK Innovation Corridor, we can attract more investment and opportunities to our region – bringing prosperity and thousands of jobs in the sectors of tomorrow.
The East really does have exciting times ahead.
23 June 2021
Farm Visit
Farming is such an important part of Norfolk life and, coming from a farming background, a constituency farm visit is always a welcome one.
That’s why I was delighted to visit the Dennis family at Kings Row Farm in North Pickenham this past Friday. Together, they run a 270-acre mixed pig and arable farm (with 12 chickens belonging to their two boys too!)
I feel very strongly we should be supporting our local family farms by creating a framework we can value so that family and small-scale farms can survive and contribute in the future. To me, it’s as much about fair trade as it is free trade.
22 June 2021
Hethel Engineering Centre
Another great visit to the world class Hethel Engineering centre this past Friday – this time to see the brilliant new precision manufacturing Peptide continuous production system.
Although still in the early stages, the system is designed to reduce Pharma toxic waste and improve medicines and could become a world leader in its technological field.
Yet again this is a wonderful example of the exciting new technologies and innovation on our doorstep. Norfolk is leading the way!
21 June 2021
Necton School Visit
It was brilliant to pick up my regular schedule of constituency school visits again this past Friday – visiting Necton Church of England Primary School to continue in person the crucial conversations I have been having with Norfolk education leaders, and speak with pupils, as we look to ensure our children are not only able to catch up what they have missed during the pandemic, but are also able to go on to thrive, excel and succeed.
Richard Bacon, James Wild, Duncan Baker, Liz Truss and I were all involved in visits this past Friday and we are all due to visit a number of other schools in our constituencies over the course of this year.
It was a real delight to chat with the children again, and to engage with them on a variety of topics like climate change.
If YOU are a school in Mid Norfolk that would be interested in having me visit, do get in touch via george.freeman.mp@parliament.uk . I’d be delighted to come and speak with you all.
To see more about the visits, click here to see the EDP article.
16 June 2021
TIGRR
What is the Regulatory Dividend of Brexit?
Much has been promised & alleged.
Brexit sceptics have said “it can only be a race to the bottom slashing protections”. Not true.
Today we have set out our TaskForce on Innovation & Regulation Report (TIGRR) with 120 Recommendations.
To read more: