Minister for tourism John Penrose to use 'work experience' placement to identify tourism industry red tape

6 October 2011

Business Buddy scheme will provide politician with insight into life inside local small firm.

John Penrose, the Minister for Tourism, is to carry out a 'work experience' placement at an outdoor pursuits firm in his Western-Super-Mare constituency in order to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing tourism industry small businesses, particularly the red tape barriers that stifle growth and job creation.

Mr Penrose will visit Mendip Outdoor Pursuits, which is based in Silver Street, Congresbury, Bristol, on Friday, 7 October from 9am. One of his activities will be abseiling in the Mendips, a range of Limestone hills to the south of Bristol and Bath in Somerset.

“It's very easy for MPs to get cut off from reality in the Westminster bubble, which is why it's so important to get back to the shop floor with local tourism businesses every once in a while,” said Mr Penrose.

“Nothing beats personal experience of what's working, and what's holding people back from growing their businesses and creating more jobs.

“For example, we've done a lot to cut through the crazy red tape that holds up so much progress in the leisure and hospitality industries, but everyone in the business knows there's plenty more to do. This is my chance to see what people need at the sharp end.”

The visit has been arranged as part of the Business Buddy scheme, which was recently launched by the not-for-profit Forum of Private Business.

http://www.fpb.org/hottips/728/Forum_members_to_give_MPs_a_lesson_in_running_a_business.htm

Business Buddy aims to foster a greater understanding of small businesses among politicians by providing them with hands-on experience of day-to-day life at firms in their constituencies.

David Eddins, the owner of Mendip Outdoor Pursuits, said: “I am looking forward to meeting Mr Penrose to talk about the difficulties our business finds in generating brand awareness of products and services for the tourist market.”

The Forum's head of campaigns, Jane Bennett, said: “It's all well and good for lobby groups like the Forum to tell the Government about the issues facing small businesses, but there's no substitute for first-hand experience. We want politicians to see for themselves what it's like to run a small business so that's why we developed the Business Buddy scheme.

“We hope John and David will find the visit useful and perhaps forge a lasting relationship so John can keep David updated on local and small business-related issues as they develop.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has given the scheme his backing and has encouraged his fellow MPs to get involved.

Mr Cameron said; “The Coalition Government is committed to making the coming decade the most entrepreneurial and dynamic in Britain's history,” said Mr Cameron, writing in support of the initiative.

“To make this a reality, we need to understand the real issues that small businesses face on a day-to-day basis and use that information to help ensure that entrepreneurs are given every opportunity to successfully start and grow their businesses.

“I would encourage all members of Parliament to take advantage of this opportunity to find out what it is really like to run a small business and to gain a better understanding of the many issues faced by small businesses across the country,” he said.

Business Buddy is part of the Forum's wider Get Britain Trading campaign, which aims to both raise awareness of the important economic role played by small businesses, and lobby for the Government to tackle common problems which prevent small businesses from growing and creating jobs.

http://www.getbritaintrading.co.uk/

Business owners seeking more information about the Forum's Business Buddy scheme or Get Britain Trading should email getbritaintrading@fpb.orgor visit www.fpb.org

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