Doncaster MPs and Mayor Outline Their Priorities for the Future and Answer Questions From Businesses at Chamber Event

All three Doncaster MPs, alongside the City Mayor, gathered under one roof for a stimulating panel discussion last week. Here, they debated the pressing issues of the day and fielded questions from businesses in each of their respective constituencies.

Organised by the local Chamber of Commerce, this breakfast event took place at the Warmsworth Holiday Inn and was attended by upwards of 90 delegates. With an agenda that covered everything from Levelling Up and Net Zero, right through to the campaign to save Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), no subject was off the table and businesses had the opportunity to broach any relevant topic.

Exploring these myriad issues was a panel comprised of Nick Fletcher, MP for Don Valley, Ed Miliband, MP for Doncaster North, Dame Rosie Winterton, MP for Doncaster Central, and Ros Jones CBE, Mayor of Doncaster.

From the lively debate that ensued (which lasted an hour-and-a-half), attendees emerged with a sense of their political representatives’ priorities as well as the steps that might need to be taken to realise Doncaster’s ambitions.

It was truly an all-encompassing discussion that touched upon things like business rates, investment zones, the importance of partnership working and the existing plans to construct a new hospital on the Doncaster Waterfront.

Reflecting on the MPs Breakfast event, Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said: “We always strive to amplify the voice of our members, and to give them an effective platform when it comes to debating the issues that are keenly affecting them.

“Friday’s session was a prime example of this, as we covered a lot of ground, with businesses asking constructive questions and sharing insights with those who are empowered to make a real difference on their behalf. I am confident that we will see many tangible outcomes arising off the back of this event, just as we did with our previous MPs Breakfast in October.

“And now is certainly the time for everybody to be putting aside their political differences and uniting for the betterment of Doncaster and its people. It is right for Team Doncaster partners to act as critical friends in private but, in public, we should be showing a united front. Not just to local communities and businesses but to central Government also.

“We are at a point of jeopardy for the country and Doncaster. Inflation continues to soar, the labour market is incredibly tight, and the macro-economic environment across the country remains dispiriting. Closer to home, we have also seen our airport close — and NCATI will sadly be following suit in the near future —  while we narrowly missed out on the bid to become the HQ for Great British Railways as well.

“Against this backdrop, Doncaster needs a win and the best way to achieve this is to work collaboratively, share ideas, and talk up our city. It was encouraging to see our MPs give up their time to listen to businesses and explore what more can be done to help our city prosper. I hope they left the event understanding the high level of expectation from Doncaster employers, but also seized of the need for positivity and cross-party working.”