Having spent the morning at Kent 2020 Vision LIVE, I came back to the office full of positivity and with a spring in my step.

I turned on my computer and saw that the economy had grown 0.3% in the 1st quarter of 2013.

Then I looked out of the window and the sun was shining. It was more like an afternoon on the Costas than an office in Ashford.

There’s nothing wrong with Ashford, but compared to warmer climates it can be a bit lacking.
News that the UK voided negative growth is encouraging and will boost confidence. As our latest economic survey shows, services are the main driver of recent growth. We have those in abundance in Kent.

There’s nothing wrong with Ashford, but compared to warmer climates it can be a bit lacking.

The Government will breathe a big sigh of relief and claim this as a minor win. But it means little when looking at the bigger economic picture. Growth is still unacceptably weak, and will remain so without radical measures to get the economy moving.

Of course we need to get borrowing under control and it’s probably right to stick to the current fiscal reduction plan, but this can’t be in isolation. There needs to be a robust growth strategy. Economic growth is bumping along, with the economy as a whole still below pre-recession levels.
Talking to exhibitors, there was so much positivity and the event had a buzz. I read so many survey results that say business confidence is low but that doesn’t reflect anecdotal evidence.

We have a county of realists who know that if things are to change for the better, it is they who can make it happen.

Judging from the vibes at Kent 2020 Vision, Kent is well placed to see growth because of its positive entrepreneurial business community.