- Alexander Stafford MP called for creation of more local jobs producing and procuring PPE during questions with Health Minister Edward Argar MP
- Rother Valley MP championed areas with textile-rich history, like Thurcroft and Dinnington, as being prime candidates as UK PPE manufacture soars from 1% to 70% amid coronavirus pandemic
Today during questions in the House of Commons with Health Minister Edward Argar MP, Rother Valley MP Alexander Stafford called on the Minister to increase the percentage of PPE made in the UK, urging him to look to areas with a strong history in textiles such as Thurcroft and Dinnington here in Rother Valley.
At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, just 1% of the PPE we used in this country was produced here; however, as need for the equipment rose amid the coronavirus pandemic, more and more was made at home, eventually increasing to 70%.
A staunch campaigner for local jobs, Alexander asked the Minister to raise the game on homemade PPE even further, providing much-needed jobs to skilled workers in our local towns here in Rother Valley.
In his response, Minister Argar paid tribute to businesses across the constituency who had produced PPE at the height of the pandemic and championed the innovation and spirit of British business in response to this pandemic.
Commenting, Alexander said:
"I welcome the Minister's commitment to build on the incredible success that has been British PPE production and I would urge him to look to areas with an industrial, textile industry, such as Dinnington and Thurcroft in my constituency, to lead the way.
We must provide skilled jobs for the future, and having seen the response to PPE shortages very early on in the pandemic at home in Rother Valley, I know that my constituents can lead the way.
