It was brilliant to have our government descend en masse on Stoke-on-Trent for the Regional Cabinet. I joined the Chancellor this morning at the Treasury Connect session with local businesses in Smithfield Works in Hanley, where he listened to questions and comments from a range of businesses during a really helpful conversation. Everyone was delighted that he chose to spend his birthday in our city.
The community engagement event at Middleport Pottery was a great success, with Cabinet Ministers chatting canalside to a wide variety of local champions and listening to their views. We were blessed with good weather and everyone was keen to share their ideas. People were waving from windows and the mood was upbeat. Stoke-on-Trent has been on the government's radar for some time thanks to the collective lobbying of myself, Jack Brereton MP and Jonathan Gullis MP. Today the press and representatives of the community could learn first hand what that means in practice. There is genuine interest across government departments in tackling our challenges and they recognise our cooperative, positive spirit which seeks to work together to solve the issues which are holding our city back.
In the afternoon I joined Chief Secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke to visit the Digital and Creative Hub at Stoke-on-Trent College to open the VR Suite and see the work of three talented students. From 3D surveying to 3D printing, drone technology and VR, the College offers courses which give students the skills and qualifications local employers are looking for.
All in all, a great day for our city to showcase talent and opportunity and to be heard by the government on our home turf.
