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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Patents and Patents (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 2017 on the number of patent applications from small businesses.

The fee changes being made are the first patent fee increases since 2010. They have been made after a full public consultation and Impact Assessment, both of which considered the impact on small businesses. UK patent fees will remain amongst the lowest globally, ensuring access to the system for businesses of all sizes.