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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he is taking steps to build confidence in cooperative businesses.

Government supports all small businesses, who will benefit from the £15 billion of targeted government support to help with the rising cost of living. Government has cut fuel duty for 12 months, raised the Employment Allowance to £5,000, and is zero-rating VAT on energy-saving materials.

Additionally, Help to Grow programmes will enable eligible SMEs to mitigate the effects of rising costs by providing financial discounts on approved digital technologies up to a value of £5000.

Our network of 38 Growth Hubs across England provides SMEs access to information and advice. Additionally, advisers at the government’s Business Support Helpline (England) can provide free support and guidance about local and national business support offers.