Local MP Maria Miller welcomed James Morris MP to the Basingstoke Business and Enterprise Forum.  The Basingstoke Business & Enterprise Forum(BBEF) is an organisation providing an independent middle ground where businesses can meet, build rapport and give a viewpoint to their MP Maria Miller and Government Ministers. Members include FTSE 100 companies, SMEs and established local businesses.

Following a successful career in the IT sector, James Morris entered Parliament in 2010 and sat on the Select Committee for Housing and local government. James addressed the forum, hosted by Basingstoke based firm Labcold,  and then answered questions from attendees.

James discussed the importance of entrepreneurship and a diverse business culture spread through different sectors. He also spoke about the importance of aligning skills to opportunities and answered a wide range of questions concerning Education and the need to ensure that pupils attain the right qualifications to gain future employment.

 Maria commented; “James Morris comes from an entrepreneurial background and engaged in a lively discussion as to how the curriculum can prepare students for the workplace. It was important to hear that employers want excellent educational standards to go hand in hand with the development of practical skills. The BBEF provides an important platform where employers can raise key concerns and make sure they are heard in Westminster. Basingstoke is a thriving economy and is one of the top ten employment centres in the South East.  ”