The small business roundtable was hosted with the Federation of Small Businesses, and provided an opportunity for Emma Hardy MP to hear how businesses are currently coping against a backdrop of inflation, energy and fuel prices and a changing business support landscape.
The roundtable meetings are being held every six months with members of the Federation of Small Businesses from Emma’s constituency, each one taking place with a diverse range of entrepreneurs and small business owners, sharing their insights and voicing their concerns and ideas for change.
Emma Hardy MP said “small businesses are a vital part of our economy and it is essential they receive the support they need to thrive and grow. As well as helping me to keep in touch with what is happening locally, these meetings mean I am well-informed when raising issues in Parliament. Currently, small businesses are facing significant pressures from multiple directions, and I shall be calling on government to take meaningful action to help alleviate them”
Paula Gouldthorpe, Development for the Federation of Small Businesses (South & East Yorkshire & the Humber) said:
“I give my thanks to Emma Hardy MP for taking the time to engage with our small businesses, and to those who attended – taking time out of their businesses. The meeting was a valuable opportunity, our small businesses always welcome the chance to meet with local MP’s to share with them their challenges, concerns and provide their ideas for improvements.
The meeting with Emma Hardy MP further highlighted the commonalities that small businesses across different sectors share - late payments, energy costs, access to public sector contracts, recruitment & retention, through to business support - which have, and continue to be difficult issues for smaller enterprises”
The meeting took place at Barclays Bank on King Edward Street, and provided all to also experience the new co-working space on its top floor.