Black Country Chamber of Commerce Business Roundtable in Dudley
DUDLEY — Sonia Kumar, Member of Parliament for Dudley, joined local business leaders at a “Meet Your MP” roundtable organised by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing businesses across Dudley and the wider Black Country.
The event, held at Thomas Dudley Ltd, brought together representatives from sectors including manufacturing, logistics, engineering, recruitment and tourism for a wide-ranging discussion on the local economy and business environment.
Topics raised during the roundtable included rising energy and fuel costs, concerns around global instability and its impact on businesses and households, business rates, recruitment and skills shortages, and how local councils and the West Midlands Combined Authority can better support local employers and economic growth.
Attendees also discussed employment rights legislation, including concerns surrounding joint and several liability proposals, and the importance of ensuring businesses are supported while maintaining fair protections for workers.
Following the discussion, attendees toured the Thomas Dudley premises and heard more about the company’s continued investment and operations in Dudley.
Sonia Kumar MP said:
“Local businesses are the backbone of our economy here in Dudley. They create jobs, provide apprenticeships, drive innovation and help keep our communities thriving.
“It was incredibly valuable to hear directly from employers about the challenges they are facing, from energy costs and business rates to recruitment and skills. These conversations are important because policy works best when it is informed by the experiences of businesses on the ground.
“There was also a strong discussion about how councils, the combined authority and national government can work more effectively with local employers to unlock growth and support investment across the Black Country.
“I want Dudley to be a place where businesses can grow, invest and create opportunities for local people, and I will continue working closely with businesses and organisations like the Black Country Chamber of Commerce to help make that happen.”
Jan Jennings, who facilitated the roundtable on behalf of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, added:
“A huge thanks to Sonia for meeting with Chamber members who are based in her constituency. It’s so important for our elected representatives to hear directly from businesses so they have the evidence they need to feedback directly to government. We look forward to continuing dialogue with Sonia about the issues that matter in the Black Country.”
The roundtable included representatives from companies and organisations including Thomas Dudley Ltd, Darvick Ltd, MET Recruitment, Pertemps, JJX Logistics and employment relations consultancy Mayfield HC Ltd.