Below is my article which was published in The Times on 9 April...
I remember bringing my young son to a tea in the House of Lords with Baroness Thatcher a few years ago and trying to explain to him as we walked along the corridor that he was about to meet a great figure from British history. I said to him that just as he was now studying at school the lives of Elizabeth I, Oliver Cromwell and Winston Churchill, so schoolchildren for hundreds of years to come would study the life and times of a woman he was nervously about to have tea with. He told me that they already were studying her....
Today George met with the Forum of Private Business for a round table, post-Budget discussion in Knutsford. FPB Chief Executive, Phil Orford chaired the meeting with George and various local small businesses.
George said:
"The Forum of Private Business is a strong voice for business and entrepreneurship. I'm really grateful to the excellent Chief Executive Phil Orford for bringing together a collection of new and established firms to talk with me about what more we can do to support the economy."
Following George's recent help in raising £20,000 for the East Cheshire Hospice with the doodle he drew for the Times Doodle Auction, he revisited the Hospice to chat to staff and patients.
George commented:
"East Cheshire Hospice is a wonderful and caring place which deserves the full support of the local community. The Hospice helps people through the most difficult time in their lives and I have taken a keen interest over the last few years in their work. Seeing the staff again and talking to some of the patients was very uplifting.
I am thrilled that my "doodle" has raised such a large sum of money for the East Cheshire Hospice which is a great local charity helping people at their greatest hour of need in my constituency."
For further information on the work that East Cheshire Hospice do or to get involved, please visit http://www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/
Today George met the two entrepreneurs, Brad Crosthwaite and Julian Lloyd who started up the Cheshire Tile Studio in 2006.
Cheshire Tile Studio has two showrooms in Wilmslow and Altrincham and also a commercial outlet in Handforth and following recent success, they are extending their range to include bathrooms.
George had a chance to meet Brad and Julian to discuss their business and see some of the tile designs for himself. He commented:
"It is great to see two young entrepreneurs expanding their business, moving into new high street premises and taking on new staff. It is exactly what we need for the local economy and I wish them well in this new venture."
Today George visited the Wilmslow Cancer Research UK shop to support their ‘Research Kills Cancer’ campaign – highlighting the charity's work fighting over 200 different types of cancer, including in Manchester where the Cancer Research UK-funded Institute employs over 200 cancer researchers.
George helped volunteers in the shop and heard how other people can get involved.
He said:
"It was good to visit the Cancer Research Shop in Wilmslow again and meet some of the same volunteers I met when I last visited. It is a great place to both buy some lovely things and support a good cause at the same time. The Cancer Research Charity shops make a fantastic contribution to fund research into one of the deadliest killers."
To find out ways to volunteer, campaign or fundraise for Cancer Research UK, please visit http://supportus.cancerresearchuk.org/
As with any big infrastructure project, the decision to build the new High Speed Rail network will have a significant impact on those who live and work in the affected area. The preferred route has been designed by engineers to minimise its impact on communities. I had no influence over the route at all. But, of course, I realise that many people are worried about the impact it will have on their communities so in the week of the announcement I met with the local councillors and parish council representatives of the areas most affected. I will stay closely in touch with them and ensure their voice is heard.
With that in mind, let me briefly set out why I support the Government’s plans for HS2 – both as the MP for Tatton and as Chancellor.
Please also find below links to the Cheshire East Council website which provides further information regarding HS2 in Cheshire including the route and the programme.
George visited ALBIS UK Ltd, on the Parkgate Industrial Estate in Knutsford. He was met by Ian Mills, the Managing Director, who showed him round the plastics manufacturing plant.
George said “I was delighted to see the work being done at Albis. They are one of the biggest employers in Knutsford and it is a great success story”
Today George met with constituents and representatives from Cheshire East Council Connecting Cheshire and BT to discuss rural broadband.
The meeting offered the opportunity for residents of rural communities to ask questions and discuss the project. George said:
“I am passionate about getting superfast broadband to the rural parts of my constituency. It helps families access new technology and supports businesses in rural areas. So I organised this meeting in Marthall because I wanted to give local people, and their parish councils, a chance to speak directly to BT and Cheshire East Council. The news is that – if we all work together – then we can bring superfast broadband to the Cheshire countryside.”
Following his visited last March to view how the improvements were going, today George Osborne re-visited Wilmslow Station to help celebrate the completion of its extensive improvements and to unveil a plaque marking the occasion.
George said: “Wilmslow station has had a great facelift and passengers will see a huge difference. Ten years ago we fought hard to get direct train services to Wilmslow; now this campaign has paid off too. Seeing Wilmslow High School there and local volunteers like Incredible Edible was a reminder of what a strong local community we have.”
Today George Osborne met with a group of local farmers and NFU representatives to discuss a range of current issues.
George commented: "Our local rural economy depends on successful farming. That’s why I regularly keep in touch with local farmers and see what I can do to help them. We had a very useful discussion and I’m going to act on the points they raised. Thank you to the local NFU for arranging another useful discussion”