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Caerphilly MP Chris Evans faced questions from members of Caerphilly Business Club at a recent meeting, with discussion focussing on the pressures facing local firms and how decisions in Westminster, Cardiff Bay and the region are felt on the ground.

Members raised concerns about rising operating costs, such as National Insurance and the minimum wage, and the difficulty for smaller employers when changes arrive with limited time to plan. Linked to that were calls for clearer public communication about how costs are passed on and where the burden falls.

There was also discussion about town centre trade and footfall, with some business owners questioning whether the shift towards “digital-first” advertising is always delivering results. Members argued for a more balanced approach that includes traditional marketing methods alongside online promotion.

A recurring theme at the meeting, held at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Ystrad Mynach campus, was whether small and medium-sized businesses get enough of a voice in policy-making compared with large companies and major investors. Attendees said decision-makers can be too removed from the day-to-day realities of running local firms.

That fed into concerns about public-sector procurement, with members questioning why local suppliers can feel overlooked for contracts and asking how councils and public bodies could improve access to opportunities and keep more spending in the local economy.

The meeting also touched on regional investment, including the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal.

Members questioned whether too much emphasis is placed on Cardiff and what is being done to ensure surrounding areas such as Caerphilly benefit fully from regeneration and transport investment.

Skills and recruitment featured too, with a focus on apprenticeships and the need for stronger incentives and practical support for SMEs to take on and train young people.

Mr Evans said he would follow up the issues raised by writing to relevant bodies to seek responses and push for action where possible.