Local News P14/15 - Council News

Rishi Sunak with Selaine Saxby MP, Ron Ley, Cllr Daniel Turton & Cllr Paul Crabb Businesses in Ilfracombe had a chance to quiz one of the most senior British politicians when Chancellor Rishi Sunak paid a visit to the town. The Chancellor visited the Pall factory at the top of Station Road where he heard about their £60 million investment into the Ilfracombe site, bringing 200 new jobs. The factory, which employs many local people, has played an important role during the pandemic, manufacturing filters which have been used in the production of Covid vaccines across the globe. The Chancellor then joined a private event at The Landmark Theatre where he met many local business owners and residents and heard their views, concerns and answered questions. Among the issues raised were concerns about local housing and finding staff, as well as the cost of living, levelling up the south west, energy pricing and the pace of trying to reach net zero. Mr Sunak was hosted on his visit by North Devon MP Selaine Saxby. She said: “I strive to bring ministers to North Devon and the south west, to see all of the wonderful things we have to offer, and also to understand the support that we too need in levelling up, and how our remoteness and rurality brings different challenges (as well as joys) to more urban areas. This was a planned visit to a major employer in North Devon and having come a considerable distance I was delighted that his schedule facilitated meeting other businesses and residents to hear what they had to say. There is more going on in this country than what is happening in the Westminster bubble and I believe it is vital that ministers see and experience that first hand whenever they have the opportunity.”