Sir Edward Garnier, MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, invited constituents to a briefing session with ministers and industry experts at the Palace of Westminster on 2 April. The industrial strategy Parliamentary briefing session was designed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to brief businessmen and women on the progress made since the launch of the Government’s industrial strategy. It was an opportunity for businesses to hear first hand from BIS Secretary Vince Cable, policy officials and industry figures, how government is working in partnership with enterprise to deliver the strategy across the United Kingdom.
Vince Cable gave an update on industrial strategy and introduced Marcus Bryson, CEO GKN Aerospace, who gave a short speech on progress in the aerospace sector. Industry representatives from several industrial sectors were there, including Alstom Transport, AREVA Wind, Sainsbury’s, GKN Aerospace and GKN Driveline, Oil & Gas UK, National Specialist Contractors’ Council (NSCC), techUK, British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), and Siemens. From Harborough, the invitation was taken up by the Leicestershire Asian Business Association (LABA), who sent four representatives, and AIO Partners Ltd, who sent one representative.
Jaspal Singh Minhas, President of LABA, commented after the briefing: “It was a great insight into the ways the government is looking into industrial strategy and above all was a great opportunity to network with the attendees.”
Edward Garnier said: “Too often people in business feel alienated from the political process which affects many aspects of their business life. It is good that BIS was able to arrange a forum to exchange ideas and to help business leaders from constituencies such as mine, in the East Midlands, to feel valued and to learn how the Government is taking a long-term view.”
