Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Businesses in Rural Areas

Thursday 25 January 2024 · 3 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government provides extensive business support for all businesses, including those in rural areas.
  • The Secretary of State is willing to look at what her Department can do to support infrastructure for local businesses in Caithness.
  • The matter of wind speed publication on the Met Office app falls under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the economic challenges faced by rural businesses in his constituency.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support businesses in rural areas?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Government provide extensive business support for all businesses, including those in rural areas. With other Departments, we focus on access to energy and work with the Department for Education on apprenticeships. We also have the British Business Bank's recovery loan scheme and the Start Up Loans company, which helps businesses invest and grow.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps directly addressing rural business needs were not detailed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Scotland Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The MP highlights the potential economic boost from a spaceport in Sutherland and offshore wind projects, stressing the need for transport infrastructure.

Question

The Secretary of State will be aware that the Sutherland spaceport could be a fantastic boost for local businesses. The public service obligation for Wick airport runs out soon with no word on renewal. What advice does she have for me?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The SNP-led Scottish Government are responsible for much of the investment. However, I take his point about infrastructure and am prepared to look at what my Department can do to support him.

Not addressed: Infrastructure needs were deflected by blaming the Scottish Government.

How: Blaming Another Government

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Therese Coffey Con
Science & Technology Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about unnecessary bridge closures due to lack of transparency in wind speed data provided by the Met Office.

Question

I think that my right hon. Friend is doing a great job for rural businesses. However, the Met Office, which is under her stewardship, should publish wind speeds on its app so businesses are not disrupted unnecessarily.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The matter falls under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. We can raise it with DSIT colleagues to ensure they look at it quickly.

Not addressed: Responsibility was deflected to another department.

How: Blaming Another Department

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email