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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what representations he has received from small businesses on the question of a no deal exit from the EU; and what response he has made to those representations.

The Government recognises that a strong relationship with business and industry is absolutely vital in ensuring the best possible deal for the UK. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy therefore regularly engages with a number of businesses organisations on issues including the UKs exit from the EU.

The Withdrawal Bill was introduced in July 2017, designed to ensure that the UK exits the EU in a smooth and orderly way. In line with this, the Government is also pursuing a time-limited implementation period to allow small businesses the time they need to adapt to new arrangements, and more generally pushing to ensure the best possible deal for UK citizens and businesses.

In the highly unlikely event of a no deal, the Government is making plans to ensure that the UK has made all the relevant preparations in advance of the UK’s exit from the EU.