Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gareth Johnson and Margot James

Tuesday 27th June 2017 Commons Chamber

[Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con)]

5. What steps he is taking to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in the Thames Gateway.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Margot James)]

Supporting small business is a crucial part of our industrial strategy. The Government are investing in the Thames Gateway, including through the local growth fund and the new lower Thames crossing. We will continue to work with industry and local authorities in the Thames Gateway to create the conditions for all businesses to thrive.

[Gareth Johnson]

The lack of connectivity between Kent and Essex frustrates commerce between those two counties. The lower Thames crossing will help with that, but it will take some years for it to be built. Will the Minister use that time to work with local businesses in the area to unlock its huge potential, which has yet to be fully realised?

[Margot James]

The lower Thames crossing is due to open in 2025. In the meantime, local growth hubs will continue to deliver support services to help businesses in the area to grow over that period. In addition, almost half of the South East local enterprise partnership funding of £274 million is directly supporting growth in north Kent and south Essex by improving transport infrastructure, addressing skills needs and creating new business spaces.