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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the businesses identified by Begbies Traynor Group PLC as being in significant financial distress.

Business support is demand-led and business owners are encouraged to seek advice and support based on their individual circumstances. The government has no plans to seek access to the list of businesses identified by Begbies Traynor as being in financial distress.

The Business Support Helpline on 0800 998 1098 enables SMEs in England to access support of all kinds, including grants, loans and business advice. Equivalent services are available in the devolved administrations as follows:

Business Support Scotland - 0300 303 0660;

Business Wales Helpline - 0300 060 3000;

Invest Northern Ireland - 0800 181 4422.