Chamber partners, members and local businesses had the opportunity to contribute directly to a government programme of work and influence key decisions affecting the future of business and trade in the UK on 3 December.

What was the event?

The Business and Trade Select Committee of the House of Commons took to the road in the first week of December to engage with stakeholders across the UK at a series of regional roundtables in Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford and Warwick.

The Committee is a cross-party committee which scrutinises the policy, spending and administration of the Department for Business and Trade and its public bodies.

In his opening remarks, the Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP explained that the Committee wanted to listen to the business community and trade unions to understand the opportunities, challenges and potential solutions to support businesses following austerity, Brexit and Covid. The Committee aims to help the government make good decisions about business and trade and curate its programme of work for the next five years.

Who took part?

Hosted at Chamber partner Cardiff Business School’s postgraduate teaching centre, the Chamber invited businesses from a wide range of sectors including education, finance, manufacturing and technology, as well as trade unions, to participate in the roundtable discussions and share their insights.

An MP from the Committee facilitated the discussion on each table at the event, engaging directly with businesses and recording their feedback including the top five priorities for government. The MPs at the Cardiff event included the Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, Sarah Edwards MP, Sonia Kumar MP, Matt Western MP, Rosie Wrighting MP (Labour), Alison Griffiths MP (Conservative), Charlie Maynard MP and Joshua Reynolds MP (Liberal Democrats).

What issues were raised?

There was a consensus on many key points that were raised including:

• Identifying the growing AI, creative and green sectors as opportunities in Wales, but consideration needs to be made for how these opportunities can drive growth in the wider Welsh economy
• The need for improved infrastructure, planning reform, digital connectivity and a long-term industrial strategy
• The need to simplify the sometimes difficult to navigate layers of government and public sector bodies in Wales to speed up decision making and enable businesses to better access support
• Concerns regarding skills gaps, intergovernmental relations, tackling fraud, and the implications of the Budget and proposed changes to employment rights for small businesses

Gus Williams, interim CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said:

“Days like this are really important. Whatever organisation we lead or are a part of, we share the same fundamental challenges. Collaboration is key to solving these issues and this roundtable will help the Business and Trade Committee prioritise the issues facing Welsh business with government.

“We thank the Committee for taking the time to listen to our region’s business community and the welcome focus on developing a future business environment that powers growth and boosts confidence.”