Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, calls on local manufacturers to get involved in ‘Make it in Great Britain’ campaign to transform outdated opinions of UK manufacturing. The campaign will culminate in an exhibition during Games time that will celebrate the successes of the manufacturing sector, challenge inaccurate views of manufacturing and encourage young people to consider a career in the industry.

Business Secretary Vince Cable launched the campaign this week, “Despite popular belief, Britain still does make things and has outstanding manufacturing companies, large and small. Our world-beating companies have an excellent reputation for innovation. I want our young people and those who hold outdated views of British manufacturing to see that reality. That’s why we’re launching the Make it in Great Britain campaign.”

Over the past three weeks the Government has announced £140million of investment in manufacturing to end 13 years of decline in manufacturing under Labour.

Dr Lee commented: “Manufacturing can boost the economy if we help manufacturers to grow and export. I am encouraging everyone involved in manufacturing in Bracknell whether they are business owners, designers, engineers, plant operators or even apprentices to support the campaign by putting themselves forward as manufacturing champions. With their help, we can modernise people’s views of manufacturing.”

Last week the Government announced support for the Daylight Saving Bill – calling for a change to the way we set our clocks. As a supporter of the bill, and the Lighter Later campaign behind it, Dr Phillip Lee MP for Bracknell welcomed the move.

Last week’s announcement will be warmly welcomed by the road safety organisations, sporting bodies, tourism industries and community groups that make up the 80 strong coalition backing the Lighter Later campaign. Evidence suggests that moving an hour of light from the early morning to the evening could make our roads safer, cut the UK’s carbon while boosting its economy and provide more time for leisure activities and sport. 

“There’s a lot further to go before we change our clocks but this announcement is a big step forward. The bill would mandate the UK Government to conduct a proper review of the evidence for and against changing the clocks.  By rationally weighing up the evidence for reform, Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland have the opportunity to become safer, healthier and more prosperous countries” said Daniel Vockins, Lighter Later campaign manager.

Dr Lee commented: “Today the government made an important step towards making our days longer. I believe that if there is strong evidence to support the benefits it could bring, I will support this.”

Tuesday in the House of Commons, Dr. Phillip Lee, spoke in the Government policy on net neutrality debate in Westminster Hall. Along with the MP for Esher and Walton, Mr Dominic Raab, he spoke of the need for search neutrality on the internet. The Bracknell MP highlighted the fact that a company such as Google, with a 95% share of the UK internet search market, effectively controls which services and companies internet users see through ranking the search results shown on Google Universal Search tool. The search results that we the end users receive, is not based on a neutral search criteria, but instead on which companies Google prefers us to see. By ranking services and companies, Google effectively operate as a gatekeeper.

In addition, starting in 2007, the company has its own services which they prefer and ranks high up on their search pages, making it even harder for start-up companies (which are less well known) to reach their customers.

Foundem is a highly innovative Bracknell based technology company with a unique, world-beating vertical search solution. Not surprisingly, three years labouring under an erroneously applied Google search penalty seriously impeded Foundem’s growth and eroded its competitive advantage. That Foundem not only survived but also continued to innovate is testament to the unique capabilities of its patented technology, which allows Foundem to provide best-in-class vertical search with just a tiny fraction of the resources of its competitors.

Throughout his speech Dr Lee highlighted the fact that if we want to foster innovation and new companies in this country we need to make sure that the conditions are in place for them to grow and not be hindered by unfair competition in the market.
Dr Lee commented: “Foundem is the sort of business success that Bracknell and Britain needs. I was very happy to go into bat for Foundem during the debate and hope that in future business start-ups have a fair internet environment in which to thrive.”

See full debate here

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110405/halltext/110405h0002.htm#11040557000002

I am so proud to have been elected as the Member of Parliament for the Bracknell constituency. There are so many people that I have to thank for their superb efforts over the last few months. Above all, though, I must thank the people of Bracknell constituency for voting for me in such large numbers. I have been humbled by the level of support that I have received. It is now my responsibility to deliver on the trust that has been placed in me by the people of this great constituency.