Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what proportion of business meetings arranged by the Directorate of Communications and Stakeholders were with small or small and medium enterprises in each year since his Department was established.

Ministers and officials continue to engage with companies of all sizes in all areas of the country and across a wide range of sectors. DExEU ministers have undertaken over 500 engagements since the Department was established.

Details of ministerial and senior official business engagements are set out in the quarterly transparency returns.

As many engagements take place at roundtable events where there is a cross-section of business present, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of category by size of businesses. Extensive engagement with small and small and medium enterprises is also undertaken through trade associations, representative organisations, and supply and logistics chains.

Ministers have had regular engagement with SMEs through over 80 visits to all parts of the UK, and attended the BEIS SME Advisory Board. This ensures that we hear the issues and priorities of business of all sizes as we leave the European Union.