Committee publication · Correspondence · 13 January 2026

Letter to the Minister for Small Businesses and Economic Transformation relating to the evidence session on 25 November on small business strategy, 11 December 2025

Summary

The Business and Trade Committee writes to the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation following his 25 November evidence session on small business strategy. The letter requests detailed information on eight specific topics: Project Bank Accounts guidance withdrawal and replacement plans, VAT registration bunching analysis, SME public procurement targets, business rates treatment of security investments, Business Growth Service user metrics and performance indicators, and assessment of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023's effectiveness against phoenixism and ghost directors.

Key findings

Cabinet Office has withdrawn guidance on Project Bank Accounts; government plans for replacement unclear
Government has not yet provided specific public procurement spend target for SMEs despite indicating willingness to follow up
Business Growth Service user numbers and experience quality are being monitored but detailed figures not yet disclosed
No clarity on departmental responsibility for investment in security measures or integration into business rates transformation
Assessment needed of whether Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 is effectively addressing phoenixism and ghost director practices

Tone

Procedural

Topics

small-business-policypublic-procurementeconomic-crimebusiness-ratesregulatory-compliance

Key actors

Blair McDougall MP, Business and Trade Committee, Cabinet Office, Department for Business and Trade, Treasury, Home Office, Companies House

Notable line

“Could you provide this analysis to the Committee?”

Key Quotes

“I write to seek information on some other points necessary for us to produce a comprehensive and accurate report.”
— Business and Trade Committee Chair · Opening statement of purpose

“Could you provide this analysis to the Committee?”
— Business and Trade Committee Chair · Request for Treasury analysis on VAT bunching effect

“Could you provide the Committee with the most recent figures?”
— Business and Trade Committee Chair · Request for Business Growth Service user numbers and experience quality data

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗