Having worked for fifteen years as a small business entrepreneur before coming to Parliament, in addition to having served previously as a business minister, I have always taken a deep interest in local Business throughout my time as MP. Local Business is the real engine of our regional and national economies.

I know first-hand how rewarding it can be to own one’s own business. However, I am also acutely aware of how tough it can be too and know how hard it has been for so many over the past few months (and during the pandemic before then) – especially as a result of higher energy prices and the cost of living crisis.

That’s why I welcomed the opportunity to visit Barley Chalu in Wymondham this past week – meeting with their leadership team and finding out more about the impact energy prices are having on their business.

Barley Chalu is a much valued local business that specialises in the production of advanced architectural aluminium profiles. They are a fantastic example of advanced manufacturing in our local area, creating many jobs for the local people and in turn bringing prosperity to our local communities. There are a true Mid Norfolk asset.

Inevitably however, rising energy prices are having an immense impact on the business, which requires significant amounts of energy to produce their high quality products, and so I discussed at length the challenges they (and many other manufacturing businesses in our area) currently face – as well as learned more about the work and investment they remain committed to doing, in order to ensure the company can still continue its important work and employ the next generation of local people.

As part of my ongoing conversations with ministers and officials, I committed to following up our meeting with further representations on behalf of our local Business community. I look forward to continuing the dialogue with Mo, Susie and the wider Barley Chalu team in the coming weeks and months.

Rest assured, I will continue to do all I can to support local businesses like Barley Chalu – as well as the many households that are also finding times hard during this cost of living crisis.