TAUNTON Deane MP Jeremy Browne told a Somerset Chamber of Commerce business breakfast that the county is well placed to take advantage of a growing economy, but that changes are needed to bring about a rise in wages and living standards.

Speaking at the event at St Margaret’s Hospice in Bishop’s Hull, Mr Browne said: “The economy is growing and unemployment is falling. That is positive news but it is essential that improvements to productivity allow wages and living standards to rise.

 "Other major decisions, including improvements to transport infrastructure and extra house building, cannot be ducked if Britain is to be economically competitive and allow people to have a decent quality of life.

 "Somerset has many advantages. We have low unemployment, low crime and good public services compared to many parts of the country. We also need more business investment to increase the numbers of higher paid jobs and infrastructure improvements.”