Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help SMEs benefit from free trade agreements.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vital to increasing UK trade. That is why we are seeking SME chapters and SME-friendly provisions throughout all our Free Trade Agreements. These chapters and provisions signpost SMEs towards the information they need to make informed decisions and take advantage of new opportunities.

In addition, the Department worked across Whitehall to deliver the refreshed Export Strategy, which focuses on barriers faced by UK businesses, particularly SMEs. HM Government supports exporters at every stage of their journey, through the Export Support Service, the UK Export Academy, UK Export Finance, and our International Trade Advisers and global networks.