Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues and Amazon to help support businesses that use that website to demonstrate that they are UK-based for VAT purposes.

I have written to Amazon's UK Country Manager on two occasions as well as met them in person to discuss this issue. I have requested that Amazon unfreeze business accounts and provide support for those impacted.

Government officials continue to signpost sellers to support, working alongside the Small Business Commissioner, who is in regular contact with Amazon to highlight specific cases.

Steps taken by the Government and the Small Business Commissioner have led to cases being resolved, with online sellers receiving their withheld funds and resuming trading. We will continue working with Amazon until this issue is fully resolved.