Over the last few weeks we have continued to see very positive signs of growth returning to the economy. The latest figures for unemployment in the Folkestone and Hythe constituency showed the biggest monthly fall in September for over three years. In the last twelve months unemployment has fallen by 20% and the overall rate is at its lowest level for five years. The national picture is also much better with our economy now amongst one of the fastest growing in the western world. However, our local recovery is not just being supported by these positive national trends, we are seeing unemployment falling faster here than both the national average and that for the south east of England, traditionally the most affluent area in the country.
This trend of falling unemployment and growth has been helped by initiatives like the Regional Growth Fund for East Kent which has put tens of millions of pounds at the disposal of local firms to help them set up, expand and create new jobs. Funding that was given last year is now supporting new jobs today. This has been supplemented by the Marsh Million Fund, supported by Kent County Council, Shepway Council and Magnox to give start-up business finance to people in Romney Marsh. Young people aged 30 and below, starting a business can also apply for a ‘Start-up Loan’ to help get them off the ground. When you look at the Old Town area of Folkestone which has been successfully regenerated by the Creative Foundation, you can now see many new businesses trading where there were once empty shops. The Foundation has now filled all of its space in the town and is looking to expand. Business centres like the Workshop in Tontine Street have also given us incubator facilities for new companies that are up there with the best. In addition to all of this activity which has supported local growth, we are really benefitting now from High Speed rail which is bringing investment to our communities as a result of the better infrastructure links to London.
This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday when we remember the sacrifices of all those who fought and died for our country in the two World Wars and the conflicts since; from Korea and Malaya to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands. The Poppies that we wear in the days before Remembrance Sunday are a reminder of the flowers that grew in the battlefields of the First World War in the year following the armistice in 1918. That symbolism has an added poignancy as we approach the centenary of the start of that terrible conflict. The Poppy Appeal however is not just an act of remembrance, but a contribution to the important work of the Royal British Legion today to provide care and support for veterans of the armed forces, servicemen and their families. I hope you will wear your poppy with pride, and you can also support the appeal through the British Legion’s website www.britishlegion.org.uk. There are also services on Sunday morning across the district and I am looking forward this year to joining the Mayor of Hythe for the service at the town’s war memorial.