Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps she is taking to help ensure that small and medium-sized businesses remain viable in the context of the increases in the cost of living .

Businesses will have benefitted from the Government’s reversal of the National Insurance rise, saving SMEs approximately £4,200 on average and raising the Employment Allowance to £5000. In addition, the Spring Budget provides further cost of living support to households by freezing fuel duty and maintaining the 5p cut for a further year.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme has protected SMEs from high energy costs over the winter and eligible businesses will continue to benefit through the Energy Bill Discount Schemes. The Autumn Statement announced £13.6 billion of support for businesses over the next five years, reducing the burden of business rates for SMEs.