I RECENTLY had the pleasure of visiting Lapford Cross Garage & Car Sales, where I was warmly welcomed by owner Mike Squire.

I am grateful to Mike for taking the time to talk me through the opportunities and the challenges that face independent garages and small businesses right across our part of the world.

We covered access to finance, the importance of apprenticeships, and the very real pressures that rising costs place on businesses trying to plan ahead.

What struck me most was how much thought and care goes into running a business of this kind, and how vital these enterprises are to communities like ours here in Central Devon.

Independent garages do far more than fix cars. They keep people safely on the road, they provide skilled and secure local jobs, and they help sustain the rural economy that we depend upon.

For us in Devon a car is typically not a luxury but a necessity, and the local garage an essential part of everyday life.

It is worth reflecting on just how important small businesses are to the country as a whole.

At the start of 2025 there were around 5.7 million private sector businesses in the UK, and an overwhelming 99 per cent of them were small businesses employing fewer than 50 people.

Between them, small and medium sized businesses employ roughly 17 million people, which is about 60 per cent of the entire private sector workforce.

These are not abstract figures. They represent millions of families, livelihoods and local high streets like ours.

The picture for the motor trade in particular gives cause for reflection.

Automotive apprenticeship starts have fallen in recent years and remain well below where they stood before the pandemic, even as the sector faces a growing need for new skills.

Some forecasts suggest the industry could face a shortfall of tens of thousands of qualified technicians in the years ahead, particularly as vehicles become more advanced.

That is why supporting places like Lapford Cross, where practical skills are passed on to the next generation, matters so much.

Listening to local employers is something I take very seriously. Time and again I learn more from a single visit than from any number of reports, and the insights that businesses like Mike's share with me directly shape the work I do.

I will continue to champion policies that back small businesses, that encourage investment, and help create real opportunities for young people looking to build a future here in Devon.

My thanks once again to Mike and his team.

Facebook: Mel Stride MP X: @MelJStride Instagram: @melstridemp Website: www.melstridemp.com