#231: The Voice of Business - Andrew Griffith MP Joins Stelios on The Ceres Podcast

In one of the most engaging episodes of The Ceres Podcast to date, host Stelios sits down with Andrew Griffith MP, the Conservative Party’s Shadow Business Secretary, for a refreshingly candid conversation about the realities facing British business.

For anyone running a fish and chip shop, café, or small enterprise, this episode cuts through the political noise to focus on what truly matters — VAT, business rates, red tape, and how government policy affects the day-to-day of keeping the lights on.

A Politician Who Speaks ‘Business’

From the outset, Griffith makes it clear — business isn’t just a policy area for him, it’s personal. “Business is my passion,” he tells Stelios. With two decades at Sky and a board role at Just Eat under his belt, Griffith brings genuine commercial experience to Westminster.

That experience fuels one of his core points — the law of unintended consequences. “By the time a rule gets handed down into a law with some regulator, it ends up messing up lots of people’s lives,” he says. It’s the kind of grounded insight that connects deeply with listeners who spend Sunday afternoons doing VAT returns rather than lobbying in London.

The chemistry between the two is relaxed and open, more like a chat between peers than a political interview — proof that The Ceres Podcast continues to make complex issues accessible and human.

VAT and the Hospitality Squeeze

Few topics ignite more debate than VAT. Stelios presses Griffith on calls to cut VAT for hospitality, a sector still battling high costs and shrinking margins. Griffith acknowledges the pressure: “You can’t have a hospitality business unless you’ve got front of house people and chefs… they make a real contribution to the local community.”

While he stops short of making promises, Griffith is clearly open to reform. “We have one of the most complex tax systems in the world,” he notes. “Sometimes higher, sometimes lower — but always complicated.” His answer underlines a bigger point: simplicity matters more than slogans.

Business Rates: A Tax Before Turnover

When it comes to business rates, Griffith doesn’t hold back. He calls them “a tax before you’ve got a single pound of turnover,” arguing that small operators are being punished simply for existing. His proposed fix is bold — scrapping business rates entirely for most retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses.

As he puts it: “Local councils should have the courage of their convictions and go to households for revenue — not just soak businesses.” It’s a statement that will ring true with anyone who’s watched town-centre shops and chippies fight rising costs while supermarkets enjoy free parking and lighter rates.

Employment Rights and Hiring Hurdles

The pair dive into the proposed Employment Rights Bill, which would grant workers full rights from day one. Griffith brands it “the Unemployment Bill,” warning that it could deter hiring altogether. He points out that even false claims can now be generated by AI tools, leaving small employers to settle for thousands to avoid tribunal delays.

For Stelios and countless business owners, that risk feels personal. The discussion captures that reality — how one misguided policy can ripple through a small team of five and threaten its survival.

VAT Thresholds and Simplifying Tax

Stelios raises another issue close to home: the VAT threshold cliff edge. Some businesses cap their turnover to stay below it, stunting growth. Griffith gets it — and while he won’t commit to a figure, he’s clear that the system must work with small businesses, not against them.

He even shares an idea that made Stelios laugh out loud — introducing customer-style ratings for HMRC:

“Every time you deal with HMRC, you get to rate them — did they answer on time, did they sound like they knew what they were talking about?”

It’s a small but telling moment that shows both humour and shared frustration — the human side of policy.

Reviving the High Street

When the talk turns to high streets, Griffith’s optimism shines through. “People love their high streets,” he insists. “They’re where we spend time, where we connect.”

He blames council parking charges and business rates for draining life from local shopping areas and promises a ‘High Street Plan’ to revive them — safer, cleaner, and more affordable to trade in. “Supermarkets have free parking. Shopping malls have free parking. Yet local shops are penalised for trying to serve their communities,” he says.

It’s a call to fight for local enterprise — a theme that runs throughout the episode.

Brexit, Growth, and the Bigger Picture

The conversation broadens to trade, Brexit, and economic growth. Griffith doesn’t dodge the complexities. “We’ve created frictions,” he admits, while reaffirming that sovereignty remains right in principle. He hopes for a new generation of European politicians willing to reset relationships “without the petty politics.”

Their exchange feels unusually mature for political discussion — no point-scoring, just realism about where the UK can do better.

Honesty, Leadership, and the Future

Perhaps the most memorable section comes when Griffith laments how government hasn’t balanced its books in 25 years. “If you’re not willing to make difficult decisions,” he says, “you shouldn’t be on the pitch.”

Stelios agrees — “diagnosing problems is easy; fixing them takes courage.” It’s a moment that encapsulates what makes this episode stand out: clarity, candour, and respect for the audience’s intelligence.

Why You Should Listen

Episode 231 of The Ceres Podcast offers something that’s hard to find — a grown-up discussion about the real challenges of running a business in modern Britain.

From VAT reform and business rates to hiring struggles and red tape, Stelios Theocharous and Andrew Griffith MP deliver a conversation every hospitality and small business owner should hear.

If you’ve ever wondered what politicians really think about VAT, wages, and growth — and how those decisions ripple through your fryers, tills, and balance sheets — this is one you can’t afford to miss.