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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support small businesses experiencing consumer growth slowdowns.

On 20 July, my Rt. Hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy announced an extension for the Recovery Loan Scheme. The Recovery Loan Scheme helps smaller businesses access loans and other kinds of finance up to £2 million per business group so they can grow and invest. The finance can be used for any legitimate business purpose, including growth and investment or working capital. Furthermore, the Energy Bill Relief Scheme will provide a price reduction to ensure that all eligible businesses and other non-domestic customers are protected from excessively high energy bills over the winter period.