Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions his Department had with relevant stakeholders prior to the decision to close the Help to Grow: Digital Programme in February 2023.

The Department has had ongoing and regular engagement with relevant stakeholders throughout the life of the Help to Grow Digital Programme. Help to Grow Digital has supported businesses to grow, but with take-up lower than expected, the government cannot justify the continued cost of the scheme to the taxpayer.

The Government continues to support small businesses, such as through Help to Grow: Management and the government-backed British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans, which are available to help aspiring entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.