00:00Comcast who I met yesterday who are behind this investment through Universal
00:05are really excited to invest in the UK.
00:09We've stabilized the economy, we're bulldozing all of the barriers to growth,
00:13the planning system, the government decision making that was too slow,
00:17the lack of transport infrastructure.
00:19But the other reason that they're excited to invest here in the UK
00:22is because we are really great at the creative industries,
00:26whether it's James Bond, Harry Potter, Paddington Bear,
00:30we are a great place to invest and to showcase British talent.
00:34And I'm really excited that this resort from Universal
00:37won't just bring great American exports to the UK,
00:41it will also showcase great British exports to the world
00:45to eight and a half million people who we expect to visit in the first year alone.
00:50We've worked with the company closely over the last eight months
00:54to make sure that they have the guarantees that they need around transport infrastructure.
00:59Transport was the major blockage.
01:01There are other issues as well, including planning,
01:04that we've worked with them to reform so that we can get the green light on this project.
01:09I'm really delighted we've been able to secure it,
01:12and I'm confident that it will deliver for people in Bedford,
01:14not least because the company has committed to recruiting 80% of the workforce from the local area.
01:20That is really good news for young people growing up in Bedford,
01:23and it's good news for the UK economy.
Comments