Nigel Evans has welcomed the announcement that Metstok in the Ribble Valley has received an award for International Trade, as part of more than 200 businesses having been honoured with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Those businesses were selected for their entrepreneurship, and local company Metstok is an example of Ribble Valley’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Three quarters of this year’s winners are small and medium sized businesses, demonstrating that the UK is one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business. This is down to the environment created by the Government, and through the modern Industrial Strategy we will enhance support we have already provided. This includes:
• Investing £7 billion through our modern Industrial Strategy in new public funding for research and innovation – the largest ever increase.
• Helping small businesses access the finance they need – since it was established, the British Business Bank has provided support worth £5.9 billion of finance to over 82,000 smaller businesses across the country.
• Providing small businesses with £200 million to grow and scale-up their operations.
• Providing a £31 million package of support for small businesses helping them to grow and reach their full potential.
• Legislating to make it easier for small businesses to access invoice finance, providing a £1 billion long-term boost to the economy.
• Cutting business rates for small retailers by a third for two years – saving 90 per cent of all shops, pubs and restaurants up to £8,000.
The winners will receive these prestigious awards at a Buckingham Palace reception, where their contribution to the UK economy will be celebrated. These awards recognise businesses for their contribution in four categories, with winners including:
• 129 International Trade winners
• 61 Innovation winners
• 6 Sustainable Development winners
• 5 Promoting Opportunity winners
Commenting, Business Secretary Greg Clark said:
“We know that the UK is the best place to start and grow a business, which we will build on through our modern Industrial Strategy. These awards recognise great British success stories that are the face of this achievement, and I’m proud that so many small businesses are being celebrated by receiving a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.”
Commenting, Nigel Evans said:
“I am delighted that Metstok has been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen with such a prestigious award.
“Metstok is a proud example of our community, making a huge contribution not just to the North West but as an innovative and talented business to our growing economy.
“The Conservatives are working hard to create the best possible environment to start and grow businesses, and I’m delighted that Metstok is recognised for its hard work.”