Henry Smith MP has hailed young Crawley entrepreneur Sam French in the House of Commons (on Tuesday, 8th January).

Henry said;

“I was pleased to see Sam French, founder of Sam’s Kitchen, again at the Taste of West Sussex event in Parliament towards the end of last year.

“I’m grateful to Sam for raising with me his concerns regarding the inspections that Sam’s Kitchen has had to undergo. It’s vital that we get the balance right between necessary regulation, and seemingly unnecessary burdens which businesses are being asked to go through.”

Sam French, Managing Director of Sam’s Kitchen, commented;

“I’d like to thank Henry Smith MP for highlighting and continuing his support of small businesses run by young people.”

Henry Smith, Member of Parliament for Crawley, asked the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy;

“Sam’s Kitchen was set up by a young entrepreneur in Crawley several years ago. On meeting him recently, he reported a large number of frequent and, it seems, unnecessary inspections.

“How can we ​make sure that we get the balance right between necessary regulation and not imposing too much of a burden on young, growing businesses?”

The Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research & Innovation, Chris Skidmore MP, responded;

“I understand that Sam French is a young entrepreneur selling homemade gingerbread men and women. I congratulate him on his success. Perhaps he may like to send some to you to sample, Mr Speaker.

“I am pleased that he shares his experience with other young entrepreneurs. It is important, however, that inspections in the food industry are based on a national code of practice and are intended to give the necessary reassurances to business and consumers so that they can buy products with absolute confidence.”