Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

SME Operating Costs

Thursday 17 July 2025 · 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

  • SME businesses in Scotland face increased import and energy costs due to policy decisions.
  • A recent survey shows nearly three quarters of SME businesses are confident about their future.
  • The government is expanding access to finance for SMEs through the British Business Bank.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Susan Murray Lib Dem Mid Dunbartonshire
Economy Employment Business & Trade
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Gareth Thomas (Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: 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.

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Q2 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Energy Business & Trade
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Gareth Thomas (Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific Liberal Democrat proposals were not directly addressed with commitment or action; instead, the Minister mentioned a pilot scheme in the west midlands.

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