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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on proposals to support small businesses in Newport West constituency.

BEIS works regularly with the Welsh Government on a range of issues, including support for business. Although many of the levers are devolved, the UK Government has acted to protect Welsh businesses from rising energy bills this winter, through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.

The Government’s Growth Plan cuts taxes and energy bills for businesses. The Plan will drive more private sector investment and cut red tape.

The Start Up Loans Company, part of the Government-owned British Business Bank, provides support to new entrepreneurs. Since the Start Up Loans programme was launched in 2012, it has provided 161 loans to businesses in Newport West, totalling £1,612,340.