Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of barriers to growth on start-up businesses.

The government is committed to supporting start-ups through the Small Business Plan, the most comprehensive package of support for small and medium-sized businesses in a generation.

The Plan sets out measures to help start-ups across the UK, including tackling late payments, improving access to finance, cutting unnecessary red tape, revitalising high streets and supporting digital and AI adoption.

The Business Growth Service, launched as part of the Plan, gives start-ups a single point of access for advice and support. We are also improving access to finance through Start Up Loans provided by the British Business Bank.