Charlie Maynard and Olly Glover, Oxfordshire Members of Parliament for Witney and Didcot & Wantage, attended a roundtable with business leaders from across the County hosted by Advanced Oxford.
Supporting the long-term development and success of the Oxfordshire as a place to live and work, Charlie and Olly were invited to give delegates attending the Advanced Oxford meeting an overview of their lives before Parliament and listen to the experience of local companies operating across the county.
Speaking to around 20 delegates, the MPs engaged in constructive conversations with local business leaders about local transport connectivity, infrastructure problems and productivity, ranging from active travel in Oxford city centre, to the Government’s plans for the Oxford to Cambridge growth corridor.
“Oxford and Oxfordshire undoubtedly have a lot to offer the country and even the world and I welcome all Government support to unlock that potential. However, this has to come alongside support for Oxfordshire’s infrastructure, including rail connectivity throughout the county.
“I want to make sure that the whole of the county benefits from incoming investment, including West Oxfordshire. Currently the lack of good transport links from West Oxfordshire into Oxford City Centre acts as a barrier to jobs and growth in Witney and Carterton. This is one of the reasons I want to see the railway line between Oxford, Witney and Carterton rebuilt, and I am confident it would bring more high skilled jobs and opportunities to the area.” – Charlie Maynard MP
“I am grateful to Advanced Oxford for the opportunity to hear more about what Oxfordshire’s scientific and manufacturing businesses need to both grow and remain in our county. Transport and energy infrastructure are clearly limiting factors, as is access to capital investment for some sectors.
“We were reminded that the majority of businesses in Oxfordshire are small and medium sized business, for which the government’s increase in National Insurance costs, high energy prices and post-Brexit difficulties importing materials risk slowing down growth. These are all things Charlie and I will continue to raise in parliament and promote the impressive, varied and innovative enterprises locally”. – Olly Glover MP
Delegates also took the opportunity to discuss the best ways to overcome such issues and move forwards as a County.
