Macclesfield has seen positive economic growth since 2010, with unemployment falling by 45 per cent. Recent investments of around £200 million made by AstraZeneca in its Macclesfield site – the largest pharmaceuticals plant in the UK - have been positive news.
David has worked closely with the company to support its future ambitions for the site. Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, recently visited the Macclesfield site at the invitation of David to find out more about plans for the future.
David is a strong supporter of the Cheshire Science Corridor initiative. Over recent years, he was a member of the Alderley Park Taskforce, which has brought hundreds of new jobs and many new, innovative businesses to the site.
In Parliament, David is a recognised champion for life sciences. He welcomed the announcement in the last Autumn Statement in 2016 that the Government would provide an extra £2 billion a year in research and development funding, enabling further investment and growth in UK life sciences.
David backs local businesses and actively supports the new Enterprising Macclesfield initiative, whose volunteers encourage and support local small businesses and social enterprises. David says, “It is vital that our entrepreneurs and small businesses can get access to coaching support and funding to help them succeed and build on the entrepreneurial spirit in the town.”
Apprenticeships are vital in delivering the skills we need. David works hard in Parliament and in Macclesfield to encourage more young people to consider becoming an apprentice. He is pleased to see Macclesfield College increase the number of apprenticeships it provides from 200 in 2014/5 by an additional 350 just 18 months later – a real boost to local skills.