WE have so many incredibly successful, world-leading and recognisable businesses here in Redditch, writes MP Rachel Maclean.

We must do all we can to let everyone know, whether here in the UK or around the world, that Redditch is a great place to do business with a high-skilled and talented workforce, a great road network and links to Birmingham.

Once again, I discovered this myself on a recent visit to Fresh Insurance – an award-winning insurance broker based in North Moons Moat which employs hundreds of Redditch residents.

This Redditch success story is continuing to grow and recruit, yet I’m sure many of you haven’t even heard of it before.

This brings me back to the point I made at the start of my diary.

We need to be loud and proud about the successful businesses in our town.

Let’s not be afraid to show off what we have to offer the world.

From Halfords’ HQ to Thorlux Lighting, and from Baylis & Harding to Gems TV – how many other towns can boast having such high-profile businesses like Redditch?!

There are currently 3,325 registered businesses here in Redditch, that’s an increase of 450 since 2010. With more businesses comes more jobs, more residents earning a regular wage and investment to help boost our town’s economy.

I am unapologetically pro-business because businesses create jobs and improve the livelihoods of millions of people.

Government should always do what it can to create an environment where businesses can grow and thrive, but at the end of the day Government does not create jobs, businesses do.

The Conservatives have enabled businesses to thrive since 2010.

This is clearly evident here in Redditch where we’ve seen the creation of 450 new businesses.

Now, being pro-business doesn’t mean de-regulation and weak workers’ rights – quite the opposite.

It means putting in place the right mechanisms and rules to hold businesses to account, as well as ensuring workers are backed by strong protections which enables them to thrive in the workplace and reach their full potential.

I end where I started. Let’s be loud and proud about the successful businesses here in Redditch and recognise the fact that our town has so much to offer the UK and the world.