The importance of apprenticeships and falling unemployment were some of the issues raised during a Q&A session for business owners.

About 25 people attended the event at the Kent Science Park hosted by MP Gordon Henderson and chaired by Trevor Sturgess, KM Group business editor.

Mr Henderson said: “If I could only achieve one thing as an MP, it would be to ensure that when children leave school there will be jobs available to them.

“Employment is not just about education, it is about skills, and schools are increasingly aware of this. Sittingbourne and Sheppey has seen unemployment fall for nine out of the last 12 months, and I’d like for this to continue so school leavers are able to enter jobs or apprenticeships once they’ve finished their education.”

He also discussed his hopes for the development of Sittingbourne and Sheppey as a business hub.

Another discussion area was the continued regeneration of Sittingbourne in the wake of Tesco pulling out of plans to build a store at Milton Creek and extend The Forum shopping centre which it owns.

He added: “I’m sure that the development will still go ahead, just at a slower pace. I know that Swale council is working closely with Tesco to find someone else who will take over.”