Sam Gyimah was elected as the Member of Parliament for East Surrey in May 2010. He is the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Prime Minister. Prior to his appointment, Sam was a member of the International Development Select Committee and the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission.
Sam's interests
Sam's interests include the economy, education, planning and the local environment as well as International Development issues.
Business and the economy
Access to finance is one of the biggest challenges facing small businesses. Using his experience from business, in the summer of 2011 Sam led a consultation, Beyond the Banks: Lending for Growth, with NESTA, the innovation think tank. The consultation tapped in to the experience of business-owners, entrepreneurs and academics and as the first MP to call for 'credit easing', Sam has been at the forefront of providing ideas as to how businesses can access much needed finance, by-passing the traditional, high street banks.
Education
Sam has served on the Development Board of Somerville College, Oxford University, since 2004 and has brought that experience to bear in the ongoing debates around University fees and Access to Higher Education. In 2010 he contributed to an anthology of essays on Higher Education published by the Social Market Foundation. He is passionate about encouraging young people to positively engage in politics.
Planning and Development
East Surrey is 94% green belt and has numerous Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Protecting and preserving this heritage is a key concern for Sam. Since his election, he has campaigned against the Surrey Minerals Plan and a hard runway at the Redhill Aerodrome because of the likely negative impact on the local environment.
International Development
Sam's work on the International Development Select Committee involved scrutinising UK aid and its effectiveness. Sam has a particular interest in how the private sector can be further harnessed to play an active role in development.
Sam is a supporter of a number of local charities including the Tandridge District Voluntary Council and St Catherine's Hospice. He is Vice President of the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy in Lingfield.
