Stephen Metcalfe MP visits The Business Association

Stephen Metcalfe, Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock, has met with members of The Business Association of Basildon and District to listen to the concerns of local businesses and discuss how they can be further supported.

Stephen Metcalfe MP (right) with TBA chairman
Alan Osborn (centre) and Caroline Gerrard
from Essex-based charity Peaceful Place. (Credit: TBA)

The Business Association, chaired by Alan Osborn, welcomes all types of business from the self-employed to the largest employers and includes members from a wide range of sectors including accountancy, web design, and security.

The lunch meeting took place at Club Kingswood in Basildon and a variety of issues were discussed including current Government policy and the forthcoming EU referendum.

Mr Metcalfe said: "I enjoyed the chance to visit The Business Association and talk to its members, whose businesses form the backbone of our local Basildon economy.

"The recent tax reforms introduced by the Conservative government will help Basildon's businesses to grow. The government must continue to ensure that local businesses receive the necessary support to thrive and create more jobs."

He added: "It is also clear that the EU referendum is a hot topic of conversation for businesspeople in the local area.

"This will be the biggest decision for business in a generation and I believe that although there might be some short-term risks in leaving the EU, businesses like those represented by The Business Association could see long-term benefits, and I was pleased to see that the majority present seemed to agree.

"Ultimately however it is for the British public to carefully consider the arguments on both sides and make a final decision on 23 June and vote in the interests of themselves, their family, our country and of course, in this case, their business."