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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many small and medium sized enterprises in Dulwich and West Norwood constituency have received Government funding for support with the cost of living crisis.

The Government recognises the impact rising prices are having on businesses.

Businesses in Dulwich and West Norwood will have benefitted from the Government’s reversal of the National Insurance rise, saving SMEs approximately £4,200 on average, the cut to fuel duty for 12 months and raising the Employment Allowance to £5,000. The Energy Bill Relief Scheme will protect SMEs from high energy costs over the winter. In addition, at the Autumn Statement, my Rt Hon Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £13.6 billion of support for businesses over the next five years, reducing the burden of business rates for SMEs.

Support is also available to SMEs across the UK through the Recovery Loan Scheme and the Start Up loan scheme which has provided 411 SMEs in Dulwich and West Norwood loans to the value of £3,364,909 as of November 2022.