Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 15 September (HL3068), given that of the organisations mentioned only British Bank provides start-up funding, and given that they reject large numbers of unemployed applicants, what conversations they have had with microfinance organisations that provide mentoring and loans between £500 and £5,000 to unemployed people to help start their own businesses.

As referenced in the response to HL3068 on 15 September 2026, Jobcentre Plus work coaches can provide self-employment information and support to customers and signpost them to specialist national or local organisations that provide advice, including in relation to finance, to support people to start a business.

The Department for Work and Pensions does not offer financial advice about business loans or advise customers about specific loan providers. Therefore, the department has not engaged with specific microfinance organisations that provide loans to unemployed people to help them start their own business.