Supporting businesses and growing the economy.
Hertfordshire is a £46 billion economic powerhouse, with thriving industries in bioscience, engineering, and media. Labour’s budget has hurt confidence, taxed jobs, and stalled growth. We’ll work with businesses to restore momentum, encourage investment, and create opportunities.
Conservative Record of Action
- Protecting businesses through the pandemic: Delivered £2 million in grants, helping local firms survive and recover.
- Preparing young people for success: 300 young people completed the Prince’s Trust programme, gaining the skills needed for long-term careers.
- Boosting high-growth industries: Attracted major investment in film production, bioscience, renewable energy, and digital technology, securing Hertfordshire’s place as a leader in innovation.
- Strengthening skills and careers: Worked closely with four outstanding FE colleges, the University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire Futures, and the Chamber of Commerce, driving skills and vocational training opportunities.
- Keeping Hertfordshire connected: Extended superfast broadband to 98% of homes and businesses, ensuring fast and reliable digital access.
- Championing business growth: Retained Hertfordshire Futures Business Board, continuing the success of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to secure more inward investment.
Our Plan for the Next Four Years
- Creating 10,000 new jobs: Attracting investment in cell and gene therapy, agritech, life sciences, digital and AI technologies, supported by expanding data centres.
- Growing Hertfordshire’s creative economy: Supporting TV, film, and media production, building on our £2.5 billion visitor economy.
- Launching a Small Business Growth Fund: Providing grants for start-ups and expanding enterprises, creating local jobs and innovation.
- Expanding apprenticeships and training: Opening new opportunities for young people and career changers, ensuring a highly skilled workforce.
- Securing more inward investment: Empowering Hertfordshire Futures Business Board to drive economic growth and attract global businesses.
- Backing rural businesses and high streets: Enhance support for rural businesses and high streets, ensuring every part of Hertfordshire shares in economic success.
- Achieving near 100% broadband coverage: Eliminating digital exclusion in rural areas, ensuring every business and home is connected.
- Harness Technological Opportunities: We must grab the opportunities that automation, digitisation and AI bring and bend these global megatrends to keep the jobs and commercial opportunity thriving in Hertfordshire.