Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support small rural businesses.

Government has announced £13.6 billion of support for businesses over the next five years, including those in rural communities. This includes freezing the business rates multiplier for another year and protection for small businesses who lose eligibility for either Small Business or Rural Rate Relief through a more generous Supporting Small Business scheme worth over £500 million

Government has also reversed the National Insurance rise, introduced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and announced the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, cut fuel duty for 12 months, raised the Employment Allowance to £5,000 and exempted small and micro businesses from regulations where possible.