At the meeting of Sutton Council on 4 November Richard seconded a motion noting how well Sutton is surviving the recession. And Heather, speaking in the same debate, drew attention to particular successes in our own Ward.
The motion noted that Sutton is in the top three London Boroughs for the percentage of the adult population in work, at 81%, that it has lower unemployment than the average in London, that there has been record business growth in the last year and an increasing rate of business start ups.
Richard drew attention to the programme spearheaded by the Housing, Economy and Business Committee to match the skills of the local workforce to the growing sectors in the local economy. The full text of his speech is on his blog, on this website (see “Richard’s Blog”). Here is the text of Heather’s speech.
What Heather said to Council about jobs in Sutton 4th November 2013
“As someone who spent nearly twenty five years working for British companies, I am pleased to speak in favour of this motion.
That experience is why I have strongly supported Subsea 7”s vote of confidence in Sutton and its wish to expand here. I regard this as a litmus test for business support in this Borough. Because the company is growing and winning contracts overseas. This is what we need. It plans to create nearly 500 new jobs in Sutton, and not just in engineering. This was described by a Conservative as “just a few” earlier in this debate.
Those jobs are vital in the current economic climate and should not be dismissed. Those extra jobs will lead to more business for local shops, cafes and restaurants. Surprisingly the Leader of the Opposition found this difficult to understand at a recent Strategy and Resources Committee.
Subsea 7 wants to encourage people in Sutton to understand the opportunities in engineering. For the last few years the company has been going into local schools and talking to young people about careers in engineering, and it plans to expand this, for example by inviting GCSE and A Level students into their offices to get “up close and personal “ and see the excitement that there is in engineering.
We need engineers if British manufacturing is to compete internationally. The company’s new investment will also lead to over £500,000 in community developments through section 106 funding. In my book that means more jobs.
The company must therefore have been surprised to find that the immediate reaction from the local Conservatives was to oppose its plans to expand. As we heard tonight, they continue to do so.
No wonder William Hague had to pay a flying visit down here!
I am delighted to be a member of the local party that has been so successful at the ballot box that it can offer practical measures to support business rather than the hot airwe get from the Opposition.”