The Business Buddy Scheme, set up by the Forum of Private Business (FPB), aims to provide MPs with first hand experience of the challenges small businesses face today. David Cameron has lent his support to the scheme, which came about when the FPM learnt that small businesses felt MPs needed to increase their SME focus. The Prime Minister has already spent time with businesses in his West Oxfordshire constituency and has been encouraging others to do the same.

So, MPs are to spend time, if they wish, with local businesses. However, the question remains what benefit this will bring to SMEs. Will it lead to a better understanding of their needs, which is surely the desired outcome, along with changes to regulations and more bank lending. Only time will tell if MPs becoming buddies with businesses will prove effective in creating long-term change and if lasting relationships will result.

Let us know if you would like to buddy up with your local MP and, importantly, what you would want to see out of the relationship.