WITHAM MP Priti Patel has praised Essex businesses for rallying round to fight the pandemic.

The Home Secretary has held a series of virtual meetings with the Essex Chambers of Commerce and businesses across the county to discuss the impact of the coronavirus.

She has been listening to the concerns raised by businesses and suggestions on how the country can recover in a way that keeps people safe and gets the economy moving again.

Ms Patel said: “Businesses have been hit hard by the impact of the pandemic and it is important that we all understand how we can help them to continue to operate and trade in these unprecedented times.

"As we consider carefully how to phase in the reopening of society and the economy, business has a vital role to play and I have been pleased to discuss the positive ways that owners and entrepreneurs are looking to adapt by incorporating new and safe ways of working.”

She praised businesses for supporting national and local efforts to tackle the pandemic.

Ms Patel said: “During this difficult period for our economy, it has been heartening to see so many businesses come together to help save lives and get supplies to where they are needed.

"The businesses community in Essex has offered its expertise and resources to the national effort and many are volunteering and adapting to support those in need, get supplies to the NHS and care homes and keeping people in work.

"The Essex Chambers of Commerce is playing a leading role co-ordinating these efforts.”

Essex Chambers of Commerce chief executive Denise Rossiter said: “These are challenging times for businesses – it doesn’t matter whether they are large or small, things are often confusing and at times a bit lonely.

"I very much appreciated, therefore, the willingness of Priti to give up some of her very busy schedule as Home Secretary to join me and chamber members to discuss what is happening in the business world and listen to the experiences of businesses in Essex.

"We look forward to further discussions in the coming weeks, as the country slowly begins to come out of the lockdown period we have been in.”