The Eastern region is fast becoming the home of the most innovative companies in Europe, especially within the fields of food, medicine and energy – known broadly as ‘life sciences’.

In my role as a Member of Parliament and formerly having served as the first ever Minister of Life Sciences, I have been honoured to play my role in helping to drive forward this agenda, promoting the work of Norfolk entrepreneurs and businesses in Government and around the world, who will in turn create the jobs, opportunities and prosperity that will improve the lives of EVERYONE in our local communities, as well as keep our towns and villages thriving and vibrant.

That’s why I was delighted to speak to the team at the Cambridge-Norwich Tech Corridor (to find out more, please click here) this past Friday as they explore how best to maximise their potential in the months and years to come, and what more they can be doing to support local entrepreneurs and local communities so that we get the investment and support needed to really fulfil our area’s wonderful potential.

You may be interested to see my video (see here) on just why I think the Cambridge-Norwich Tech Corridor is important.

I believe we stand on the cusp of something special in our area, a once-in-a-generation chance to drive a new cycle of growth, investment and jobs. For too long our area has been treated by successive Governments as a ‘rural backwater’.

Together, through initiatives like the Tech Corridor, we can ensure that our area benefits from the wonderful work being done right here on our doorstep, making us all wealthier and more prosperous; allowing us to accelerate the move to a greener, cleaner, healthier society; spread opportunity to our youngsters or those who wish to retrain; and, in turn, direct more money into local infrastructure and services – all while protecting and enhancing the precious rural way of life we all cherish.

To learn more about Norfolk’s Innovation Economy, please visit my campaign page here.