16 December 2011
Following the timely publication of the Portas Review of UK high streets, on Friday George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, joined the Attleborough and Snetterton Business Forum (ASBF) for their Christmas lunch.
The Forum, which meets quarterly throughout the year, has a membership of over 50 businesses and provides an opportunity for networking and to raise questions about business issues facing the area for local entrepreneurs and Council Leaders.
Speaking about the event, George Freeman said:
“The ASBF Christmas lunch presented a great opportunity to discuss the findings of the national Portas Review published this week, whilst also looking at the specific challenges facing our local businesses. It is crucial for growth for local business leaders to ‘have an ear’ and be able to share experience for the good of the whole community. The ASBF is following in the steps of similar successful forums in Broadland, Thetford and South Norfolk, and I enjoyed taking part.”
Current ASBF Members:
http://www.brecklanddirectory.co.uk/Content/Business-Centre/Attleborough-and-Snetterton-Business-Forum
The Forum, which meets quarterly throughout the year, has a membership of over 50 businesses and provides an opportunity for networking and to raise questions about business issues facing the area for local entrepreneurs and Council Leaders.
Speaking about the event, George Freeman said:
“The ASBF Christmas lunch presented a great opportunity to discuss the findings of the national Portas Review published this week, whilst also looking at the specific challenges facing our local businesses. It is crucial for growth for local business leaders to ‘have an ear’ and be able to share experience for the good of the whole community. The ASBF is following in the steps of similar successful forums in Broadland, Thetford and South Norfolk, and I enjoyed taking part.”
Current ASBF Members:
http://www.brecklanddirectory.co.uk/Content/Business-Centre/Attleborough-and-Snetterton-Business-Forum
16 December 2011
George welcomed this week’s publication of the Portas Review on the future of UK high streets. The independent report, which marks over six months of research by the celebrity retail troubleshooter, Mary Portas, sets out 28 recommendations to revive the UKs high streets, including the creation of ‘Town Teams’, a ‘National Market Day’, and more lenient planning laws to allow vacant shops to be reclassified for alternative use, such as gyms, crèches and cafes, to minimise vacancy and encourage retailers back to the high street.
Commenting on the Review and the difficulties facing market towns in his own constituency, George said:
“Norfolk’s traditional market towns and villages are the backbone of our economy and community, but they are facing huge pressures. According to the British Retail Consortium 11% of town centre shops are standing vacant across the country, and in Norfolk we can see the impact first hand with announcements that stores such as Chambers in Dereham are set to close. Faced with fierce competition from online retailers, out-of-town malls and everything-under-one-roof supermarkets, we need to help independent retailers compete and ‘bring back the bustle’ to UK high streets, as the Review puts it.
We need fresh thinking and I welcome Mary Portas’ recommendations which have benefitted from Britons across the UK submitting ideas and feedback through her own website and that of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. My Constituency is made up of 110 villages and the four market towns of Attleborough, Dereham, Watton and Wymondham, so looking at how we can keep our local retailers competitive is a top priority. We need to consider these recommendations but also look at our own specific challenges. We need to consider how best to balance value for money weekly shopping needs with the attractive heritage experience, locally sourced produce and arts and crafts required for tourism, and perhaps most importantly look at how town centre planning transport impact our experience.
The Portas Review:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/business-sectors/docs/p/11-1434-portas-review-future-of-high-streets
Commenting on the Review and the difficulties facing market towns in his own constituency, George said:
“Norfolk’s traditional market towns and villages are the backbone of our economy and community, but they are facing huge pressures. According to the British Retail Consortium 11% of town centre shops are standing vacant across the country, and in Norfolk we can see the impact first hand with announcements that stores such as Chambers in Dereham are set to close. Faced with fierce competition from online retailers, out-of-town malls and everything-under-one-roof supermarkets, we need to help independent retailers compete and ‘bring back the bustle’ to UK high streets, as the Review puts it.
We need fresh thinking and I welcome Mary Portas’ recommendations which have benefitted from Britons across the UK submitting ideas and feedback through her own website and that of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. My Constituency is made up of 110 villages and the four market towns of Attleborough, Dereham, Watton and Wymondham, so looking at how we can keep our local retailers competitive is a top priority. We need to consider these recommendations but also look at our own specific challenges. We need to consider how best to balance value for money weekly shopping needs with the attractive heritage experience, locally sourced produce and arts and crafts required for tourism, and perhaps most importantly look at how town centre planning transport impact our experience.
The Portas Review:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/business-sectors/docs/p/11-1434-portas-review-future-of-high-streets
16 December 2011
On Friday George opened a new £1m household recycling centre in Dereham. The centre in Dereham is designed to deal with 6,000 tonnes of householders' rubbish each year and recycle over 70% of it.
Speaking about the new facility George said:
“It's a top class facility that thousands of householders in Mid-Norfolk will welcome.
“This is also an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together to successfully deliver important new infrastructure.”
BBC: Dereham Recycling Centre opens for business
Speaking about the new facility George said:
“It's a top class facility that thousands of householders in Mid-Norfolk will welcome.
“This is also an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together to successfully deliver important new infrastructure.”
BBC: Dereham Recycling Centre opens for business
16 December 2011
On Monday George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk and Government Life Sciences Adviser, joined world leading regenerative medicine experts from Italy, the UK and beyond for a groundbreaking Italy-UK health workshop organised by the Italian Embassy in London and hosted by the School of Science Technology and Health of the University Campus Suffolk.
The event looked at the enormous strides that have been made in basic research of stem cell technology in the last decade and offered the opportunity to share best practice, strategies of implementation and future perspectives in developing this field. The event allowed for the discussion of unresolved scientific, ethical, legal and regulatory challenges of translating the promise of stem cell therapy into clinical practice.
Speaking about the event and the role of the Eastern region, George Freeman said:
“The United Kingdom retains a leading position, in Europe and globally, in the science and commercial translation of regenerative medicine. The quality of our work, in research and academia, is of a world class, supported by a strict but permissive legislative, and regulatory, framework that is helping innovation to flourish. The ‘Innovation Triangle’ of Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich is at the forefront of this rapidly evolving technology and is in a good position to take advantage of its promise. It was a pleasure to be able to attend a high-level conference such as this in the East, and congratulate the University Campus Ipswich for hosting the event. Both today, and in the Prime Minister’s speech on Life Science last week we have seen the East recognised as an area of excellence.
In the case of Stem Cell Research, the UK and the field in general face a number of challenges before widespread adoption and commercialisation can be seen and It is critical therefore that the field demonstrates safety. However, the progresses made across the globe and the case studies presented by the leading experts today were truly impressive and hint towards a new generation of treatment for patients suffering from disease. I look forward to seeing the East remain at the forefront of this development.”
Speakers:
Srabani Bhaumik, GE Healthcare, Global Research Center, Niskayuna, NY, USA
Simon Ellison, Specialist Services Commercial Manager NHS Blood and Transplant
Salvator Roberto Amendolia, Scientific Attaché, Italian Embassy in London
Ignazio Marino, President, Italian Senate Committee on NHS
George Freeman MP, Advisor on Life Sciences to Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science
Elena Cattaneo, University of Milan, Italy
Brendon Noble, UCS Ipswich, UK
Trevor Jones, ReNeuron and UKSC Foundation
Pete Coffey, University College London, UK
Christian Schneider, EMA, London
Julian Hitchcock, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, London; Director, CellFate
Francesca Pampinella, Institutional Communication Manager, Telethon Foundation
Charles Kessler, EU Commission, Brussels
The event looked at the enormous strides that have been made in basic research of stem cell technology in the last decade and offered the opportunity to share best practice, strategies of implementation and future perspectives in developing this field. The event allowed for the discussion of unresolved scientific, ethical, legal and regulatory challenges of translating the promise of stem cell therapy into clinical practice.
Speaking about the event and the role of the Eastern region, George Freeman said:
“The United Kingdom retains a leading position, in Europe and globally, in the science and commercial translation of regenerative medicine. The quality of our work, in research and academia, is of a world class, supported by a strict but permissive legislative, and regulatory, framework that is helping innovation to flourish. The ‘Innovation Triangle’ of Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich is at the forefront of this rapidly evolving technology and is in a good position to take advantage of its promise. It was a pleasure to be able to attend a high-level conference such as this in the East, and congratulate the University Campus Ipswich for hosting the event. Both today, and in the Prime Minister’s speech on Life Science last week we have seen the East recognised as an area of excellence.
In the case of Stem Cell Research, the UK and the field in general face a number of challenges before widespread adoption and commercialisation can be seen and It is critical therefore that the field demonstrates safety. However, the progresses made across the globe and the case studies presented by the leading experts today were truly impressive and hint towards a new generation of treatment for patients suffering from disease. I look forward to seeing the East remain at the forefront of this development.”
Speakers:
Srabani Bhaumik, GE Healthcare, Global Research Center, Niskayuna, NY, USA
Simon Ellison, Specialist Services Commercial Manager NHS Blood and Transplant
Salvator Roberto Amendolia, Scientific Attaché, Italian Embassy in London
Ignazio Marino, President, Italian Senate Committee on NHS
George Freeman MP, Advisor on Life Sciences to Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science
Elena Cattaneo, University of Milan, Italy
Brendon Noble, UCS Ipswich, UK
Trevor Jones, ReNeuron and UKSC Foundation
Pete Coffey, University College London, UK
Christian Schneider, EMA, London
Julian Hitchcock, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, London; Director, CellFate
Francesca Pampinella, Institutional Communication Manager, Telethon Foundation
Charles Kessler, EU Commission, Brussels
15 December 2011
George welcomes the recently published White Paper on Water.
Water for Life is the White Paper published on the 8th December by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The White Paper sets out how the Government will take forward their commitment in the Natural Environment White Paper to long-term reform of the water abstraction regime. It also outlines the commitment to tackling the problems our rivers and wetlands face today from pollution and over abstraction.
The affordability of water bills is a growing problem, and the Government wants to enable businesses to keep their costs down. The White Paper sets out how water companies will be enabled to target more help on those household customers who need it most by introducing company social tariffs.
The White Paper also sets out the approach to reform of the water sector to ensure that customers receive better service from their water companies and bills remain affordable over the longer term.
To find out more, check out the DEFRA Website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/legislation/whitepaper/
Water for Life is the White Paper published on the 8th December by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The White Paper sets out how the Government will take forward their commitment in the Natural Environment White Paper to long-term reform of the water abstraction regime. It also outlines the commitment to tackling the problems our rivers and wetlands face today from pollution and over abstraction.
The affordability of water bills is a growing problem, and the Government wants to enable businesses to keep their costs down. The White Paper sets out how water companies will be enabled to target more help on those household customers who need it most by introducing company social tariffs.
The White Paper also sets out the approach to reform of the water sector to ensure that customers receive better service from their water companies and bills remain affordable over the longer term.
To find out more, check out the DEFRA Website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/legislation/whitepaper/
14 December 2011
Last year over 24,000 people aged over 65 across the UK died unnecessarily during the winter.
Age UK does fantastic work raising awareness of the dangers of cold weather and helping prepare our elderly for winter.
To find out more you can visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/reducingwinterdeaths
As it turns more chilly in the run up to Christmas, wrap up warm!
Age UK does fantastic work raising awareness of the dangers of cold weather and helping prepare our elderly for winter.
To find out more you can visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/reducingwinterdeaths
As it turns more chilly in the run up to Christmas, wrap up warm!
12 December 2011
Last week George took his championing of British science and innovation to the Chamber of the Commons, taking a precious sample and a display model of the new wonder-material Graphene into BiS questions to highlight the significance of the Governments’£50m commitment to create a world hub of Graphene R+D and commercialisation in Manchester, UK.
George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): How he proposes that his Department’s investment in graphene will be spent. [R] [85400]
The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts): Graphene is the thinnest, lightest, strongest and most conductive material known to man. Its discovery in Manchester in 2001 is testament to our strong science base and opens up a wide range of possibilities. That is why we have committed £50 million to create a new UK graphene hub to focus on its commercialisation. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board are now developing a detailed business case, which will be submitted to the Government shortly. We expect funding to start next year.
George Freeman: I welcome that announcement. Does the Minister agree that the investment of £50 million in a world-class hub is testament to the Government’s serious commitment to a rebalanced economy and a regional growth strategy? Will he agree to place a sample of graphene—like this—in the Library for the edification of us all?
Mr Speaker: The use of such props is on the whole discouraged, but we will let the hon. Gentleman off on this occasion.
Mr Willetts: I do not think that that is quite life science—nor is it supposed to be life-size, because it is one atom. I have some graphene in my office, and I would be very happy to show it to people who want to know what has been discovered. I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. As a result of the Chancellor’s announcement we are now able to invest in labs that will ensure that researchers can develop and research the applications of this important material.
| Hansard
George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): How he proposes that his Department’s investment in graphene will be spent. [R] [85400]
The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts): Graphene is the thinnest, lightest, strongest and most conductive material known to man. Its discovery in Manchester in 2001 is testament to our strong science base and opens up a wide range of possibilities. That is why we have committed £50 million to create a new UK graphene hub to focus on its commercialisation. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board are now developing a detailed business case, which will be submitted to the Government shortly. We expect funding to start next year.
George Freeman: I welcome that announcement. Does the Minister agree that the investment of £50 million in a world-class hub is testament to the Government’s serious commitment to a rebalanced economy and a regional growth strategy? Will he agree to place a sample of graphene—like this—in the Library for the edification of us all?
Mr Speaker: The use of such props is on the whole discouraged, but we will let the hon. Gentleman off on this occasion.
Mr Willetts: I do not think that that is quite life science—nor is it supposed to be life-size, because it is one atom. I have some graphene in my office, and I would be very happy to show it to people who want to know what has been discovered. I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. As a result of the Chancellor’s announcement we are now able to invest in labs that will ensure that researchers can develop and research the applications of this important material.
| Hansard
12 December 2011
On Friday, George Freeman MP, Member of Parliament for Mid Norfolk, joined Watton Town Council for a special meeting chaired by Town and Breckland District Councillor Michael Wassall to discuss the future of the town and a number of issues of concern to Watton and its surrounding villages.
Particular issues raised included:
Speaking after the meeting George Freeman said:
“Watton is a special place with a proud history but often feels overlooked by its bigger neighbours. Thank you to the Town council for inviting me and for the chance to discuss the issues facing the town and its surrounding villages. The new housing in Watton and Carbrooke along the Norwich Road raises a number of issues about the need for infrastructure and facilities, and the importance of maintaining Watton’s proud identity as a market town serving its surrounding villages. We agreed to look at whether the Town Council could lead in the preparation of a Community Plan for Watton with a long term vision of how best to maintain the town’s heritage and identity and create local opportunities for jobs and small business in a thriving high street, which I would be delighted to support.”
Particular issues raised included:
- the need to support local shops and a vibrant High Street and Market
- the need for investment in sports and leisure opportunities for the town and its growing population – especially with the proposed new homes on the Norwich Road and in Carbrooke which is now merging with the East of Watton
- traffic congestion at the Tescos’s junction with Norwich Road
- concerns about the integration of local foreign workers in the town.
Speaking after the meeting George Freeman said:
“Watton is a special place with a proud history but often feels overlooked by its bigger neighbours. Thank you to the Town council for inviting me and for the chance to discuss the issues facing the town and its surrounding villages. The new housing in Watton and Carbrooke along the Norwich Road raises a number of issues about the need for infrastructure and facilities, and the importance of maintaining Watton’s proud identity as a market town serving its surrounding villages. We agreed to look at whether the Town Council could lead in the preparation of a Community Plan for Watton with a long term vision of how best to maintain the town’s heritage and identity and create local opportunities for jobs and small business in a thriving high street, which I would be delighted to support.”
12 December 2011
Following a meeting with South Norfolk District Council’s Senior Planning Officials this afternoon, George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk and founder of The Norfolk Way, a charitable organisation committed to promoting vibrant, sustainable and environmentally sensitive economic growth in rural Norfolk, has been invited to chair the first Wymondham Community Meeting.
The Wymondham Town Plan Consultation on the 20th of January will be an opportunity for people to join in the planning process and discuss the long-term needs for the town, setting out their vision for a holistic and fully integrated Wymondham town.
Speaking in advance of the consultation George Freeman said:
“I am thrilled to have been given this opportunity to chair the town meeting, and whilst as a Constituency MP I have no formal jurisdiction over planning or individual applications, I have long held a close interest in planning policy and process.
“The meeting in January will be a chance for everyone with an interest in Wymondham to express their views and take part in the formulation of a long-term town plan. In recent years planning has become something done to towns, not by them; communities should be at the heart of planning and given the opportunity to take part in their design.
“I look forward to in particular to discussing the priorities for Wymondham for the next 25 years, be they for opening access from the railway station through to its historic town centre to attract visitors by train, building the infrastructure such as schools and doctors surgeries needed to support the town, or looking at how to incorporate local design and materials into this vision.
“I encourage people to join the meeting in the New Year and share their ideas for what they want from their town.”
The Wymondham Town Plan Consultation on the 20th of January will be an opportunity for people to join in the planning process and discuss the long-term needs for the town, setting out their vision for a holistic and fully integrated Wymondham town.
Speaking in advance of the consultation George Freeman said:
“I am thrilled to have been given this opportunity to chair the town meeting, and whilst as a Constituency MP I have no formal jurisdiction over planning or individual applications, I have long held a close interest in planning policy and process.
“The meeting in January will be a chance for everyone with an interest in Wymondham to express their views and take part in the formulation of a long-term town plan. In recent years planning has become something done to towns, not by them; communities should be at the heart of planning and given the opportunity to take part in their design.
“I look forward to in particular to discussing the priorities for Wymondham for the next 25 years, be they for opening access from the railway station through to its historic town centre to attract visitors by train, building the infrastructure such as schools and doctors surgeries needed to support the town, or looking at how to incorporate local design and materials into this vision.
“I encourage people to join the meeting in the New Year and share their ideas for what they want from their town.”
12 December 2011
On Friday evening from 7pm, George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, was at the Red Lion pub in Caston for an informal ‘have a pint with your MP’ evening. The event, kindly supported by Red Lion owners Barry and Carrie Ackrill, allowed people in Mid Norfolk to meet with George and discuss local issues in a more informal setting.
Speaking after the event George Freeman said:
“Friday’s evening at the Red Lion provided a great opportunity to meet many new, and catch up with some old, faces. It was lovely to have people pop by for a chat and I’ve found that the evening event and its setting can be more convenient than the usual and more formal constituency ‘surgery’ meetings. With people busier and busier than ever this is certainly what I have found at supermarket and farmers market stands where I also regularly make myself available with a stand on Saturday mornings.”
Speaking after the event George Freeman said:
“Friday’s evening at the Red Lion provided a great opportunity to meet many new, and catch up with some old, faces. It was lovely to have people pop by for a chat and I’ve found that the evening event and its setting can be more convenient than the usual and more formal constituency ‘surgery’ meetings. With people busier and busier than ever this is certainly what I have found at supermarket and farmers market stands where I also regularly make myself available with a stand on Saturday mornings.”
