Shadow Small Business Minister visit to Hull's Enterprising Young People

Shadow Small Business Minister, Bill Esterson, is to visit Hull on 16th February. He is meeting organisations that are involved in the city's youth enterprise agenda and some of the young entrepreneurs who have received support.

Whilst he is in Hull he will meet with a number of young entrepreneurs who have received support from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, teachers involved in the Be Enterprising Group of teachers and tutors as well as representatives of London Youth Support a Trust, who along with Hull City Council are establishing a new incubator centre for young entrepreneurs.

Bill Esterson MP Shadow Small Business Minster

“I was a director of a small business for 15 years before I became an MP and am more than aware that Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create the jobs that we need. They are crucial at every level of a strong and thriving economy that works for employer and staff - I am particularly pleased to come to Hull following its success in last years Enterprising Briain Awards and the European Enterprise Promotion Awards to see how as a city that you support young entrepreneurs and are encouraging young people in schools and colleges to develop their enterprise skills. I am also looking forward to hear more about Hull's developing links with young entrepreneurs in Johannesburg in South Africa"

Maureen Foers OBE Chair John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank said

"We are delighted that the Shadow Small Business Minister is to visit Hull and to see what we are doing to support our enterprising young people through helping them to develop their enterprise skills whilst at school and college and helping them to set up in business. Hull is gaining a reputation for its work in supporting enterprising young people in a partnership approach and we hope that Bill will find some of what we are doing to help develop a national approach to supporting enterprising young people interesting."

Ross Bennett MD of Engaging Education & Chair Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership

"We are looking forward to welcoming Bill to Hull, as an MP and a former business owner he knows what it is like running a business and he knows what challenges small business face day in day out trying to survive. We are particularly pleased that he is coming to talk to those that support young entrepreneurs as well as a number of young entrepreneurs that have received support from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank"

Further information

Bill Esterson was elected MP for Sefton Central in 2010 and was appointed Shadow Minister for Small Business in September 2015 and is a former small business owner for 15 years.

On his appointment as Shadow Minister Bill Esterson said “We all need small businesses to thrive. I want to see Britain become a high skilled, high wage economy that works for everyone. Small businesses will be crucial in achieving that goal. I look forward to my new role fighting for small businesses in Sefton Central and around the country, and speaking up on their behalf."

The Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership was established 15 years ago and has championed the interests and needs of enterprising young people through the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, the Be Enterprising Group of Teachers and Tutors, as well as through high profile events during Global Entrepreneurship Week.