Richard recently returned to New Holland with Victoria Atkins, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Speaking after the visit, Richard said:
"Earlier this week, I fulfilled my promise to New Holland in Basildon to bring back a senior Shadow Cabinet Member to see the work they are doing for British agriculture after my visit in January this year.
I was really pleased to be joined by Victoria Atkins, the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and local County Councillor Jeff Henry to show off this fantastic production site which employs almost 1,000 local people.
We have a number of these global suppliers in Basildon and Billericay, alongside a strong history of industry and manufacturing in the area. It was great fun getting behind the wheel of their methane-fuelled tractor too!
I’m a champion for businesses of every size, so it’s ultimately very disappointing that the Government continues down its path of higher taxes and reduced growth, especially when those taxes are levelled at employment.
As a nation, we should be encouraging businesses to look for sales down all avenues and supporting them with getting their goods out and the money in. Instead, we demand they jump through thousands of hoops and undertake laborious administrative tasks just to tick a government box - I will work to ensure that we see red tape reduced wherever possible to help encourage exports and jobs.
This visit from my shadow ministerial colleague will helpfully highlight an important part of our manufacturing sector in the agricultural supply chain. It is vital that the Opposition scrutinise the Government effectively and practical, on the ground visits like this will help Shadow Cabinet ministers do just that."
