Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

SMEs: Trade with the EU

Thursday 21 July 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Small and medium-sized businesses make up over 60% of employment and more than half of all turnover from the UK private sector
  • The Department for International Trade is helping businesses overcome barriers imposed by the European Union when consumers seek to buy goods from outside the EU
  • 38 million has been disbursed through the internationalisation fund to support businesses as they navigate changes from leaving the EU and seek opportunities elsewhere

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Business & Trade
Context

The question addresses steps to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing challenges due to increased costs, paperwork, and border delays post-Brexit.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support small and medium-sized enterprises trading with the EU. Small businesses are facing increased costs, paperwork, and border delays, as confirmed by the Public Accounts Committee.

Answer from Andrew Griffith

Small and medium-sized businesses make up over 60% of employment and more than half of all turnover from the UK private sector. The Department for International Trade is helping businesses overcome barriers imposed by the European Union when consumers seek to buy goods from outside the EU.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or funding details are not provided

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Q2 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The question addresses the reintroduction of the SME Brexit support fund with a simplified application process and expanded remit to help businesses facing challenges post-Brexit.

Question

Small businesses in Bath face increased costs, paperwork and border delays due to Brexit. Will the Government please reintroduce the SME Brexit support fund with a simplified application process and significantly expanded remit?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

£38 million has been disbursed through the internationalisation fund to support businesses as they navigate changes from leaving the EU and seek opportunities elsewhere. The answerer undertakes to look at ways to simplify engagement for small businesses with the Department.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to reintroducing the SME Brexit support fund specifically

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