Erewash MP Maggie Throup highlighted local engineering firm Progress Rail at Prime Minister’s Question Time and how it had supplied its products to Transport for London. Over all, Erewash businesses have supplied products worth over £1.4 million to Transport for London in the last year.
Maggie Throup said: “This is great news for our local economy and also a recognition of the quality and range of transport-related products manufactured here in Erewash.
“The amount of business has without doubt also created jobs and apprenticeships locally. I am determined to shout loudly about all the good news in our area, as far too often we only hear the bad things that are happening.
“With so many local businesses being recognised for their great rail products, I am sure, as the Prime Minister indicated even more business will be coming our way as a result of the electrification of the Midlands Mainline and HS2.”
Full transcript from Hansard:
Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con): Recently, I received a letter from Transport for London, informing me that in the last year it has spent more than £1.4 million with suppliers in Erewash, including Progress Rail Services, which is fantastic news for our local economy. Does my right hon. Friend agree that by investing in Britain’s infrastructure, this Government have re-energised manufacturing and engineering, safeguarding our economic security?
The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important point. Big infrastructure decisions, wherever they are made, can benefit every part of the country with jobs and manufacturing. Obviously, in the past five years London has seen huge investment because of Crossrail—the biggest infrastructure project anywhere in Europe—but I think we will see a better balance in the coming years, not least with the massive electrification and other programmes around the country. That is vital, but we cannot have infrastructure investment without a secure and strong economy, and that is what we will be delivering.