The event, themed around innovation, provided an opportunity for the MP to communicate their work with local businesses, and for businesses to discuss their challenges and opportunities with the MP.

The top themes from the discussion included:

1. Cost pressures and resilience

Local businesses are continuing to absorb significant cost increases due to the conflict in the Middle East - materials, energy and finance - while managing cashflow challenges and delayed payments. There are limits to how much SMEs can keep taking on.

2. Policy vs reality

A consistent theme: strong policy intent, but a gap in real-world delivery and little incentive for the public sector to be more productive. Clearer rules, faster decisions, and better implementation are critical for business confidence.

3. Rethinking productivity

While productivity per hour worked remains a key government focus, it is not the only way to measure business success. There was a clear tension highlighted between driving productivity and maintaining full employment through automation of roles. This is particularly relevant for SMEs in Buckinghamshire, where 53% of jobs sit within the SME base.

4. Access to funding remains a barrier

From bank lending to grant match-funding, many SMEs are struggling to access the finance they need to grow, innovate and invest - despite clear opportunities to do so. However, it was noted that AI was supporting certain businesses to prepare bids for funding, where they may have otherwise struggled to do so. 

5. Planning constraints are holding back growth

Viable, sustainable town centre regeneration is being stalled by a combination of planning restrictions and statutory costs - risking missed opportunities for housing, jobs and high street renewal.

Thank you to Sarah Green MP for her time and for listening to the voices of local businesses.

Look out for an MPs' Briefing near you

We hold briefing events with Buckinghamshire MPs throughout the year. Keep an eye out for our emails and visit the events page to stay informed of the latest opportunities.

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Visit our dedicated Reports and Analysis webpages for the latest insights on the Buckinghamshire economy and workforce, and the effect of policy decisions on our local business community.

Buckinghamshire Business First is the primary source of insights from the business coalface. This intelligence is used to ensure strategies and policies are based on robust evidence and to ensure government at all levels is aware of the economic issues facing Buckinghamshire’s communities.