SME Operating Costs 2025-07-17
2025-07-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Over the past five years, SMEs have faced challenges due to poor Brexit negotiations, increasing global uncertainty, and rising national insurance contributions. These factors have significantly impacted small businesses in Scotland.
In my constituency and across Scotland, small and medium-sized businesses have taken blow after blow. The Conservatives bungled Brexit, increasing import costs, and energy costs are soaring. Most recently, the hike in national insurance contributions is decimating job opportunities in small and medium-sized businesses. What are the Government doing to support SMEs, which are at the heart of our economic growth, and to get people off benefits and back into work?
In a recent survey almost three quarters of SME businesses were confident about the future. We are increasing access to finance for SMEs through the significant expansion in the capacity of the British Business Bank.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific challenges mentioned by Susan Murray such as Brexit consequences, energy costs, and national insurance contributions were not directly addressed with specific solutions or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Businesses across the UK, particularly in hospitality and high streets, are struggling with unaffordable energy costs. The Liberal Democrats have proposed breaking the link between gas prices and energy costs to halve energy bills within a decade.
The Liberal Democrats welcome the plans in the recently announced industrial strategy to reduce some of the world’s highest industrial energy prices. However, businesses across the UK, especially in hospitality and on our high streets, are still struggling with unaffordable energy costs. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that small businesses can benefit from more sustainable pricing? Will he encourage his Cabinet colleagues to consider proposals set out by the Liberal Democrats yesterday to break the link between gas prices and energy costs, which would halve energy bills in a decade, so that people and businesses across the country can enjoy the true benefits of cheap, clean and renewable power?
I have not yet seen the Liberal Democrats’ policy proposals but I look forward to that treat over the summer. We are supporting a pilot in the west midlands to help SMEs to reduce their energy costs through full energy audits and funding to implement measures that can bring down energy costs.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific Liberal Democrat proposals were not directly addressed with commitment or action; instead, the Minister mentioned a pilot scheme in the west midlands.
Response accuracy