MP welcomes help for farmers and small food businesses as part of his 'Bounce Back Milton Keynes' campaign

A host of new packages including an overseas virtual buyer trial, a ‘Smart Distance Selling Process’ and a package of ‘Ready to Trade’ Exporting Masterclass webinars have been announced to help exporters bounce back into international markets.

A new SME E-commerce Accelerator Pilot is being launched to increase the level of international e-commerce backing for SMEs in the food and drink industry.

Mr Everitt said: “Local businesses being able to trade with countries around the world is vital in our recovery to coronavirus. This new government scheme will help showcase the fantastic, high-quality offerings businesses and farmers in MK can export internationally.

“As well as supporting businesses by getting out on the streets and popping into shops as part of my Bounce Back MK campaign, this will help our local businesses on a global scale.”

The MP has launched ‘Bounce Back MK’, a campaign aimed at celebrating the success of businesses and individuals as the city exits lockdown.

It was recently revealed 33,900 jobs had been protected in Milton Keynes by the Government’s Job Retention Scheme, with thousands more benefiting from the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Mr Everitt also gained cross-party support in Westminster for a letter to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him to announce support for local breweries to ensure they can survive and bounce back from coronavirus.

He has been visiting local High Streets such as in Newport Pagnell to talk to businesses about how they had adapted to social distancing and support they need to bounce back.

He said: “Now is more important than ever to support our local businesses so I would urge everybody to get out and pay them a visit, while of course maintaining the social distancing measures.

“MK has a thriving local business community and we all need to support them and help them bounce back as quickly as possible so I’ll continue to visit businesses across MK North over the next few weeks.”