The Food Minister Elizabeth Truss visited businesses on Morley High Street to see the best of local and British produce. Elizabeth, who grew up in Leeds and is the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, visited Morrisons, Bennetts Butchers and Mi’ Mam’s Food Company. She was accompanied on her visit by local Conservative parliamentary candidate Andrea Jenkyns.
At Morrisons she was met by manager Stuart who gave a guided tour of the store. Stuart pointed out local produce and the minister noted she was pleased to see the British flag shown on so many labels. Next she visited Bennett’s Butchers, who have recently opened on Morley High Street, discussing the needs of customers and sourcing of meat with the manager. Finally she visited local start-up Mi’ Mam’s Food Company where owner Rocky Wright told her the story of his business and she sampled one of his famous pies.
Elizabeth Truss said “I was absolutely delighted to be invited by Andrea to see for myself the large number of independent businesses on Morley High Street, and to see new businesses thriving alongside established ones. Rates relief for these businesses is an important part of our long term economic plan and is just one measure the Government is taking to boost our high streets. I was also pleased to hear about the thousands of apprentices taken on by Morrisons, including many in the Morley and Outwood area, helping secure a skilled workforce for the future.”
Andrea Jenkyns said “It was an honour to show the minister around Morley including two new businesses Mi Mam’s and Bennetts Butchers. It’s businesses like the ones we visited today that are creating the jobs that give so many local people the security and dignity of employment. As your Conservative Parliamentary Candidate I am working tirelessly to support local business and bring more opportunities to the area and will continue to do so if I become your MP next year. The Minister told me tt is also part of her plan to ensure we have better labelling of foods that are farmed and manufactured in the UK, I really think this is good news and I believe it is so important to buy British wherever we can.”