Written Question
Thursday 5th February 2026
Asked by:
Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question
to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with Companies House on recent increases to their fees.
Answered by Blair McDougall
- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The recent adjustments to the fees, which came into effect on 1 February 2026, were determined following detailed modelling of budgetary requirements by Companies House to support the delivery of priorities set by this government. There was extensive dialogue between the Department and Companies House in deciding the fee levels. These changes are intended to maintain high standards of service and ensure that Companies House and the Insolvency Service are appropriately resourced to fulfil their functions.
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 19 Nov 2025
Specialist Manufacturing Sector: Regional Economies
"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Harris. I welcome today’s debate. Plymouth and the surrounding area boast some of the finest examples of British advanced manufacturing. Babcock refits the Royal Navy’s frigates, maintains our nuclear deterrent and assembles the Supacat Jackal armoured vehicles at His Majesty’s …..."Rebecca Smith - View Speech
View all Rebecca Smith (Con - South West Devon) contributions to the debate on: Specialist Manufacturing Sector: Regional Economies
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 19 Nov 2025
Specialist Manufacturing Sector: Regional Economies
"I am not going to do that. Many businesspeople across my constituency have contacted me to stress how damaging the Bill will be. It seems to be more of an ideological issue on which Opposition Members differ. The red tape, particularly around things like zero-hours contracts, will have a massive …..."Rebecca Smith - View Speech
View all Rebecca Smith (Con - South West Devon) contributions to the debate on: Specialist Manufacturing Sector: Regional Economies
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 19 Nov 2025
Specialist Manufacturing Sector: Regional Economies
"Will the hon. Gentleman give way?..."Rebecca Smith - View Speech
View all Rebecca Smith (Con - South West Devon) contributions to the debate on: Specialist Manufacturing Sector: Regional Economies
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 19 Nov 2025
Specialist Manufacturing Sector: Regional Economies
"I mentioned skills as a significant challenge in the defence sector and the additional manufacturing. We have five defence technical excellence colleges opening by the end of next year. How well connected is the Minister’s Department with the Department for Education? Does he have any knowledge of when those colleges …..."Rebecca Smith - View Speech
View all Rebecca Smith (Con - South West Devon) contributions to the debate on: Specialist Manufacturing Sector: Regional Economies
Written Question
Wednesday 12th February 2025
Asked by:
Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question
to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is taking steps with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to enable banking hubs to offer postal services.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
The Department for Business and Trade continues to engage with His Majesty's Treasury on the Government’s commitment to roll out 350 banking hubs. Banking hubs are a voluntary service which were developed by the financial services sector to protect access to cash under the Financial Services Act 2023. Their rollout is overseen by Cash Access UK and funded by the banks for the purpose of coordinating banking hub delivery.
The Government-set Access Criteria ensures that however the network changes, Post Office delivers essential services, including banking and cash services, within local reach of all citizens.