Helping our Local Shops & Businesses

West Oxfordshire is a thriving area with many small businesses and I work hard to provide a strong voice for our local wealth creators. I am determined to ensure that our thriving local economy continues to grow, providing even more good jobs for local people.

I have championed West Oxfordshire businesses since becoming your MP, meeting with hundreds of local businesses in the constituency, and have hosted Parliamentary events honouring our innovative local companies. I have also been elected as the Chair of the All-Party Group for Small and Micro Businesses - making me a key voice in Westminster for small business.

These companies are the lifeblood of our local economy, and it is essential that West Oxfordshire continues to be a dynamic hub of businesses, from table-top operations to international world-beaters.

I work hard to ensure that our small, independent high street shops - which provide our towns with character and local wealth - are able to adapt to a rapidly-changing 21st Century business landscape and compete with the growth of online retail.

I continue to campaign for a root and branch review of the business rate system and for a reduction in the red tape and bureaucracy that faces small firms.

News

Robert Welcomes Chancellor's Winter Economy Plan

The Chancellor has just set out the Government's Winter Economy Plan – the next phase of our planned economic response to Coronavirus, following the Prime Minister’s address to the nation earlier this week.

Robert Visits Wychwood Brewery

Robert said: "Wychwood Brewery is an iconic local company, with its legendary Hobgoblin Beer - brewed in the heart of West Oxfordshire - being exported to all corners of the world.

Government Support in West Oxfordshire

New figures released today show the huge amount of Government support that has been made available locally in response to the Coronavirus pandemic - protecting jobs and businesses across West Oxfordshire.

Further Businesses Allowed to Reopen

Yesterday the Government announced the next phase of the careful reopening of the economy, with further businesses and venues given permission to reopen in the coming days and weeks.

The announcement means that:

Robert Checks Out Witney Town Centre's COVID-Secure Plans

Robert said: "It was great to join West Oxfordshire District Council Leader, James Mills, for a socially-distanced walk around Witney this morning to see the measures that are being put in place ahead of shops reopening on Monday.

Robert Reacts to Budget 2020

Today's Budget delivers on our promises to the British people - to support families and help them with the cost of living, to level-up infrastructure, and to invest in Britain's future.

Here's my top 10 announcements from the Budget:

Robert Welcomes £5 Billion Gigabit Broadband Investment

Robert said: "This Government is investing £5 billion to rollout gigabit broadband across the country, with funding targetted at the hardest to reach rural areas. We want everyone in the UK to benefit from world-class connectivity no matter where they live, work or travel.