The turning of the year is a natural moment to prepare for the opportunities and challenges of the new year.
While some of us are fortunate enough to be able to take time off at Christmas, I am always mindful of those for whom this season is their busiest time of year – people working in retail, logistics or hospitality, for example – and especially those who work in the emergency and caring services. Christmas would not happen without them. Thank you to everyone working and caring for people over the next couple of weeks.
I always try to support local businesses, especially retail and hospitality: they are the bedrock of our community, yet currently face a particular range of challenges. Spending our money locally and making localism and sustainable business practice central to everything we do, is so important in strengthening our local economy in these difficult times.
Up to 70% of what we spend in a smaller local business stays in the local community (compared to less than 40% spent with a large company), and the local multiplier effect means that what we spend locally is actually worth up to x 5 that amount as it spreads through the local economy.
A thank you too for all those people who have got in touch with me or my office team over the last year. We appreciate it when people take the time to contact us, either about policy matters or because they need some support – and thank you to the team as well.
On a personal note, we have a new member of our family, a second grandchild, born a couple of days ago, which is just wonderful.
Wishing everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas.
