Small Businesses Rural Areas
2026-05-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the need to support small and microbusinesses in England's rural areas, which face unique challenges.
What steps his Department is taking to support small and microbusinesses in rural areas?
Ensuring that business support takes account of rural needs is incredibly important for this Government. Around one in six people live in rural areas in England, with over 520,000 businesses contributing £259 billion to the English economy.
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Assessment & feedback
Steps his Department is taking to support small and microbusinesses in rural areas
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent named Jason runs a local venue called The Cider Barn which has seen its business rates increase significantly, affecting his operating costs.
My constituent Jason runs The Cider Barn in the village of Draycott just outside Cheddar, facing a massive increase in business rates from £100 to £600 per month. This shock makes it hard for micro and small businesses to survive. Given its importance to the local community, what can the Minister say—and importantly do—to assure small businesses like Jason's that they will be supported by this Government?
The hon. Lady's constituent requires multiple types of support from this Government, which he is getting through permanently lowered business rates multiplier for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties, benefiting over 750,000 businesses worth nearly £1 billion. Just this week, legislation has been introduced to tackle late payments for small businesses, injecting another £11 billion into the economy.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions addressing Jason's business rates issue were not provided
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Cornwall has relied on EU objective 1 funding and shared prosperity funding, both of which have ended, leaving small businesses without support.
Over 95% of Cornish businesses are small or microbusinesses. These innovative and agile businesses were supported by European Union objective 1 funding and shared prosperity funding, both now ended, with no chance for Cornwall to join an English mayoral combined authority. How can the Minister outline how we can protect these businesses?
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' rural taskforce is taking a strategic view of the challenges faced by businesses in rural areas. The business growth service includes growth hubs across the UK supporting businesses in rural areas so that they can get the growth they need.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to support Cornish small businesses post-EU funding were not provided
Response accuracy