Amanda Milling MP joined fellow Staffordshire and Stoke's MPs, local government, businesses, charities and local heroes to host the 2018 ‘Celebration of Staffordshire’ in Parliament.
The County's 12 MPs were joined by Staffordshire County Council, the Chambers of Commerce and Local Enterprise Partnership to show off the best that Staffordshire has to offer to the variety of Government Ministers, media and MPs.
The attendees from across the County ranged from small local causes, such as Tamworth Boxing Club and Caudwell Children in Newcastle-under-Lyme, to larger businesses such as Stoke's Mr Kipling's Cakes and Cannock Wood’s ATP Group. Five Cabinet ministers and numerous MPs also attended the event and heard each organisation’s successful stories.
The event was held in the ornate Jubilee Room, an annex of the historic Westminster Hall, where tilers from Staffordshire famously built the entrance to the room.
Speaking after the event Cannock Chase MP, Amanda Milling, said: “It was wonderful to see so many parliamentary colleagues, small businesses, charities and local heroes come together for a celebration of Staffordshire in Parliament. I was very pleased to support and attend the event and I was thrilled that so many Cabinet Ministers and fellow MPs were able to attend to hear first-hand the success that is happening in our county – it really was the place to be in Parliament. I was also delighted that Cannock Chase was represented at the event, with ATP Group from Cannock Wood one of the exhibitors.”
Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “Days like this are invaluable opportunities to talk to potential investors about the economic opportunities in Staffordshire, our commitment to providing the physical and electronic infrastructure for future growth and how an increasingly skilled workforce can help new businesses prosper and existing ones thrive in a county with a good quality of life.”
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership chairman David Frost CBE said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with our MPs, businesses, local authorities and other organisations to celebrate and champion our area as a great place to live, work, invest and do business. The LEP has an important role as a business-led organisation bringing partners together to shape and drive economic growth with policies that are tailored to local needs and aspirations. We are proud to have the opportunity of this Parliamentary showcase for our achievements in bringing more and better jobs to our region, raising skills levels and promoting Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire around the world.”