Working for local business

Farming is important to the Buckinghamshire economy, so I was pleased to meet Mark from Drovers Hill Farm near Saunderton and Ben from National Farmers Union.

Bucks Radio has been tremendously successful since its launch just under 2 years ago. I fully support its bid to Ofcom for a DAB licence so that even more people in and around Aylesbury can get truly local news and programming. Good to hear a progress report this morning.

It was good to meet south-east farmers and representatives from NFU to discuss the challenges of the past year, and methods to produce more food in the UK that protects the environment and works for the economy.

We live in extremely tough times, so I was glad to be able to speak to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt about the challenges local residents and businesses have raised with me.

Family firms are the backbone of the our economy and the bedrock of our communities. However they can often overlooked, and the scale of their impact on our lives is underestimated.

Stocken Farm in Lacey Green has been in the West family since the 1940s. In that time, it has grown to become a well-established and successful family-run farm. Around 400 Friesian and Holstein cows supply more than 4 million litres of milk a year to the dairy cooperative Arla.

I had a great start to the day with a visit to Royal Mail's Aylesbury Delivery Office to meet our local postmen and women, and see the new electric post vans.

Like many businesses I’ve visited across Buckinghamshire, Gibbs Gears stands out for having a highly-skilled workforce making quality products tailored to individual clients.

The Lionesses’ victory in the Euros has inspired even more women and girls in Aylesbury to take up football, with a surge of interest at Aylesbury United Ladies & Girls FC since Sunday.

Aylesbury has some excellent local businesses that have grown to become leaders in their industries. LundHalsey is a great example.