CRISPIN BLUNT MP/ CLAIRE COUTINHO MP - JOINT PRESS STATEMENT – 12 June 2020
East of Surrey MPs and Council Leaders launch new Taskforce to support our economic recovery, helping local businesses bounce back from Covid-19
- This Taskforce will bring together the Leaders and Economic Recovery Teams of Tandridge District Council and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Coast2Capital LEP, and MPs Claire Coutinho and Crispin Blunt to coordinate the local economic response
- The new Taskforce will work to help local businesses back on their feet and to get East Surrey’s economy on the road to recovery
East of Surrey MPs Claire Coutinho and Crispin Blunt, together with local council leaders Cllr Mark Brunt, and Cllr Tony Elias, are today launching a new Taskforce to support our local economic recovery, helping businesses to bounce back from Covid-19.
Surrey has benefited from a dynamic £40bn economy, low unemployment, and high productivity. But Covid-19 poses economic challenges, and the East of Surrey requires particular attention because of its relative dependence on Gatwick Airport. The Taskforce will bring together local leaders to work to coordinate our economic recovery, to strengthen our business community, to unlock public and private investment, and to ensure our businesses get their fair share of funding.
Representatives include the Leaders of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Tandridge District Council and Coast2Capital LEP. The group will be spearheaded by local MPs Claire Coutinho and Crispin Blunt to ensure the needs of East Surrey’s businesses’ voices are heard in Westminster.
Claire Coutinho, MP for East Surrey, commented: “Many businesses in my constituency have already benefited from the unprecedented Government economic support – from direct cash grants, to furlough grants and bounceback and CBILS loans - but I know challenges remain. I want to work with this Taskforce to put our hardworking businesses at the forefront of the recovery.”
Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate, added: “The eastern part of Surrey has a unique economic character and it is important that we take a local regional approach to economic recovery after the Coronavirus lock-down in order that all our businesses are fully supported and receive their fair share of all national and regional funding and support that is available. We will be looking at ways in which local economic activity can be stimulated and hopefully uncovering key local issues that could stall or block economic recovery so that these can be addressed sooner rather than later.”
Leader of Tandridge District Council, Tony Elias, said: “The new Task Force will help us support the re-opening of local businesses across the Constituency while making the best use of government funding available
Leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Mark Brunt, added: “Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has a critical role to play in supporting the economic recovery of businesses in our communities and we welcome this opportunity to work with our local MPs, Business leaders and neighbouring councils to drive forward initiatives that protect local employment and stimulate growth”
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