Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Entrepreneurs

Tuesday 9 December 2025 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial relief measures were introduced to incentivize UK company listings, raising more equity capital than the next three European exchanges combined.
  • Government actions support spirits producers through a range of measures, including small producer relief.
  • A 4 billion support package is being implemented to assist the hospitality sector, along with easing licensing regulations for venues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jack Abbott Labour (Co-op) Ipswich
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is working to drive investment into Ipswich and Suffolk, unveiling the east of England’s £4 billion investment prospectus at the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum.

Question

Over the last 18 months I have been working hard to drive investment into my town, county and region, and I was proud to unveil the east of England’s £4 billion investment prospectus at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum earlier this year. I am also keen to encourage our own home-grown entrepreneurs in Ipswich and Suffolk so that we can better support innovative and high-growth businesses. Can the Minister outline how the three-year stamp duty exemption on shares, alongside other measures in the Budget, will seek to do that?

Answer from Lucy Rigby (The Economic Secretary to the Treasury)

At the Budget, we introduced the UK listing relief, which incentivises companies to list in the UK. The UK raised more equity capital in 2024 than was raised in the next three European exchanges combined. I look forward to seeing the brilliant entrepreneurs in my hon. Friend’s constituency benefit from these deep pools of capital.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ask about how stamp duty exemption and other measures will support homegrown entrepreneurs was not addressed, instead focusing on general listing incentives.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 John Slinger Lab Rugby
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP visited the family-owned Rugby Distillery, a local business that combines rugby and gin production. The distillery faces challenges in competing with larger producers due to alcohol content restrictions.

Question

In my constituency, I can combine rugby and gin, so I am grateful to the Chancellor for the measures in her Budget to help the hospitality trade and small businesses. Following, my visit to the family-owned Rugby Distillery—branded and flavoured around the game—can I ask what steps her Department could try to level the playing field, such as by extending small producer relief to alcohol above the 8.5% ABV limit? Small-scale producers find it harder to compete fairly with big producers, and we must help them to tackle their challenges and convert their entrepreneurial spirit into greater success.

Answer from Lucy Rigby (The Economic Secretary to the Treasury)

As someone who enjoys both rugby and gin, sometimes at the same time, I pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s support for the businesses in his constituency. To support spirits producers, the Government have put in place a range of measures. As for small producer relief, I know that the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury is open to evidence on the operation of the new system. I should add that the Government plan to evaluate the reforms in late 2026, which will be three years after they took effect.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ask about extending small producer relief was not fully addressed; instead focused on willingness to review system and timing of evaluation.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Economy Employment Business & Trade
Context

An entrepreneurial chain of 25 coffee bars in east Kent employs young people with high unemployment risk. The profit margin on these coffee bars was only £12, indicating severe financial strain.

Question

In east Kent, an entrepreneurial chain of 25 coffee bars employs young people who otherwise would probably be unemployable. The profit margin on those 25 coffee bars for the last year was £12. The hospitality industry is on its knees. Will the Chancellor recognise the need to cut VAT on hospitality to 10%?

Answer from Lucy Rigby (The Economic Secretary to the Treasury)

As has been covered by my colleagues, we are putting in a £4 billion support package and continuing to engage with the hospitality sector. I should also add that we are easing licensing to help venues offer pavement drinks and one-off events too.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ask for VAT reduction was not directly addressed; instead focused on existing support measures and licensing ease.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q4 John Glen Con Salisbury
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The MP welcomes changes to the listings review but is concerned about the efficiency of R&D tax credit delivery.

Question

I welcome the changes to the listings review, but will the Minister look at what is happening with research and development tax credits and the efficiency of the delivery of those tax credits, because when the system does not work well enough, businesses are struggling before they get to listing?

Answer from Lucy Rigby (The Economic Secretary to the Treasury)

I am grateful to the right hon. Member for his question, as I always am. We are doing an awful lot to support R&D in this country, including through many of the measures announced at the Budget. That includes putting an additional £7 billion into specific areas within the industrial strategy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ask about examining efficiency was not addressed; instead focused on general support for R&D.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email