Prime Minister says: "Happy Birthday Harlow!"

As regular readers will know, Harlow New Town celebrated its 65th birthday in the last few days.

That's why I was so delighted to get a letter in the post this morning from the Prime Minister, David Cameron MP.

As you can see from the photo above, he wrote to congratulate Harlow on its achievements, not least in becoming one of the first Enterprise Zones in the whole country.

This is the second time as many months that the Prime Minister has praised Harlow for being one of the most entrepreneurial towns in Britain.

As you can see from this video, in response to my question, he has also said:

"I congratulate Harlow on the fantastic achievement that they have. The Government wants to play it's part, not least by the Enterprise Zone in West Essex, thats covering Harlow, and we hope it will create 5,000 new jobs."

He joins Amy Childs from The Only Way is Essex, and the Sun newspaper, to praise Harlow for its booming small businesses. You can read all about it HERE.

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.

Multi-million-pound investment into Harlow's road network to be welcomed

It is welcome news that Harlow’s road network is to receive a multi-million-pound overhaul.

A £3.5m project has been given the go-ahead by the Local Enterprise Partnership, meaning various stretches of roads in the town will see much-needed upgrades. The work will be carried out as Harlow prepares to become a new Enterprise Zone.

I am a long-time campaigner for better roads and transport links in Harlow – and have run the Fed Up With Harlow Traffic campaign.

Harlow is officially the most enterprising town in Britain - and I am delighted that my campaign for Harlow small firms has now been backed by everyone from the Prime Minister, to Amy Childs from The Only Way is Essex.

Our town's Enterprise Zone is set to attract up to 5,000 new jobs, and so we must ensure that the road network both into and through the town is able to cope with the additional traffic that the additional businesses will attract.

As part of the programme of work, a stretch of the A414 along Edinburgh Way will be upgraded along with new access routes into the London Road and Templefields industrial areas.

The new Enterprise Zone will be looking to attract medical technology, advanced manufacturing and ICT industries to the town.

Many big name businesses are already based in Harlow and this investment will clearly show others considering moving to Harlow that the town really does mean business when it comes to providing an ideal, easily accessible base for their companies. 

VIDEO: Newsnight interview. The Conservative Party must stand up for working people

If you missed Newsnight yesterday, you can see a short clip above. As I told the BBC: the Conservative Party is standing up for working people. We just need to explain it better.

We have fantastic policies to help families, such as the pupil premium (bringing an extra £1 million into Harlow schools), apprenticeships, lower taxes for lower earners, petrol prices, and support for jobs and growth. Just look at the Enterprize Zone that we now have in Harlow, which is expected to create 5,000 new jobs.

If there is a problem, it is that too often, these policies are like lots of cloths pegs without a washing line. We need to communicate better.

by Robert Halfon - Working Hard for Harlow.

VIDEO: David Cameron praises Harlow as top place for business in UK

 

Today, I asked a question to the Prime Minister, after the news that Harlow is now the NUMBER 1 place to start a business in the UK.

David Cameron's reply was: "The only way is Essex!"

Watch the video above, or please read it below:

Robert Halfon (Harlow): Is the Prime Minister aware that Harlow has the highest business growth in the whole of the United Kingdom. Thanks to a Conservative Council that is open for business, and a Conservative led Government that has invested in an Enterprise Zone, increased apprentices and cut taxes. Will the Prime Minister come to Harlow so we can show Britain how to lead the economic recovery?


Prime Minister (David Cameron): In danger of being accused of watching too much television, I think you can summarise this question by saying the only way is Essex. I know he speaks up for his County. What I would say, I congratulate Harlow on the fantastic achievement that they have. The Government wants to play it's part, not least by the Enterprise Zone in West Essex, thats covering Harlow, and we hope it will create 5,000 new jobs.                

by Robert Halfon - Working Hard for Harlow.