Growth.
It’s a word we hear often. But it’s more than a buzzword; it’s the foundation of a better future. Growth is what lifts living standards, raises wages, boosts productivity. It’s vital for places like Solihull and that is why I’ll be leading the Business and Trade Committee on a national tour to hear the best ideas from the country’s entrepreneurs and wealth-creators.
Growth has been too weak for too long. That’s where the new Business and Trade Committee I’m privileged to chair comes in. We’re not here to simply cheer from the sidelines. We’re here to scrutinise, to challenge, and to ensure that ministers’ vision for growth becomes a practical strategy that works for businesses.
The Budget? It was a start. It had some good things but also a lot of tough choices. So, what comes next? Businesses—small and large, from the high street to the factory floor—need clear, decisive action. They need to see how the big ideas will deliver a better bottom line. Not years into the future, but now.
And this is where our Committee steps up.
This week, we launch our engagement programme. First, a survey – open until December 20 – to hear directly from businesses. Where are the big opportunities for your industry? What are the risks? What do businesses need from Government? If you run a business, we need to hear from you. Share the link. Share your voice.
Next, we hit the road. Over 72 hours, we’ll meet businesses from Exeter to Glasgow—including here in the West Midlands, with a major stop at Warwick. Face-to-face conversations with local firms –hearing their stories, their challenges, and their solutions.
Here’s the thing about select committees: we’re non-partisan. We aim for consensus, between the old divisions of right and left. And that’s what business needs right now – grown-up, constructive dialogue that inspires confidence and delivers results.
Our work isn’t just about holding the Government to account; it’s about shaping the future. It’s about ensuring that business, trade unions, and consumers alike have a seat at the table. We’ve already seen what great local businesses achieve—our Solihull Chamber of Commerce Awards showcase that every year. These businesses are the lifeblood of our community, driving jobs and prosperity.
But here’s the challenge: business needs more than words. Business needs action. Action that helps turn plans into profit, and growth into new and better jobs.
I think that our region has a special place in this debate. My book, Dragons, tells the stories of ten great entrepreneurs who made history by inventing the future; two of the greatest – Matthew Boulton and George Cadbury – were from our part of the world. Both combined vision with practical genius, guts and grit. They made the world a better place and laid the foundations for the region we call home.
That is why I’m determined to ensure that we put our local voices on the national stage. I think parliament – and government – has a lot to learn from what we have to say.
