Business Growth Service 2025-01-30
2025-01-30
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Before Christmas, Jade Botterill met with microbusinesses in Ossett and Denby Dale that felt they had fallen through the cracks of government policy.
Jade Botterill stated she was pleased to meet with microbusinesses in her constituency who previously felt ignored by government policies. She asked how the business growth service will assist these businesses, as well as other measures taken by the Government to help smaller organizations grow.
Gareth Thomas commended Jade Botterill's work with her constituency businesses. He stated that the Government aims to provide quicker access to support such as start-up loans, training, management assistance, and export help through the business growth service.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify how microbusinesses in particular would benefit or provide a timeline for implementation of the service.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
In Strangford, small businesses are the backbone of the community. Many people work from home.
Jim Shannon thanked Gareth Thomas for his positive response to the previous question and inquired about discussions between the Department for Business and Trade and the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the business growth policy's applicability to Northern Ireland.
Gareth Thomas acknowledged Jim Shannon's work as a champion for small businesses. He stated that they want the business growth service to complement existing support provided by the Northern Ireland Executive, Welsh Government, and Scottish Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on discussions or plans with Northern Ireland regarding implementation of the business growth service.
Response accuracy