Written questions by Shannon.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of small businesses on economic growth.

Awaiting answer.

What steps the Government is taking to support small businesses adopting digital technologies.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions he has had with business representatives on export opportunities following the UK's departure from the EU.

Awaiting answer.

How many workers have been impacted by enforcement actions related to breaches of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 in the last year.

Awaiting answer.

What support is available to small exporters seeking to access new markets overseas.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to help improve corporate governance standards among large UK companies.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Insolvency Service in tackling fraudulent business practices.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to ensure compliance with employment rights in the gig economy.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to encourage investment in businesses located in economically disadvantaged regions.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of new trade agreements on manufacturing exports.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of regional disparities in business start-up rates across the UK.

Awaiting answer.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of barriers to growth on start-up businesses.

The government is committed to supporting start-ups through the Small Business Plan, the most comprehensive package of support for small and medium-sized businesses in a generation.The Plan sets out measures to help start-ups across the UK, including tackling late payments, improving access to finance, cutting unnecessary red tape, revitalising high streets and supporting digital and AI adoption.The Business Growth Service, launched as part of the Plan, gives start-ups a single point of access for advice and support. We are also improving access to finance through Start Up Loans provided by the British Business Bank.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support small businesses facing rising energy prices.

The United Kingdom has a diverse and resilient energy system. The government is monitoring the impacts of the situation in the Middle East, including small businesses, and engaging with industry to understand the full picture.Alongside existing measures to reduce electricity costs for energy-intensive industries, the government is supporting small businesses through cutting unnecessary regulatory burdens, tackling late payments, and modernising tax and customs systems to make them simpler and cheaper.The Business Growth Service provides a first port of call for businesses with access to practical help to navigate current economic pressures, while building resilience and long‑term growth capability.

What discussions he has had with regulators regarding the adequacy of consumer protection in online marketplaces.

Awaiting answer.

How many businesses accessed support schemes administered by the Department in the most recent financial year for which data is available.

The Department does not hold this information centrally. Data on businesses accessing support schemes administered by the Department is not collected on a single dataset for the most recent financial year.Support is delivered through a range of schemes including Help to Grow: Management (HTG:M), Business Growth Service, Business Support Service and Business Academy, with records held in different ways across those schemes and delivery partners. The information requested could only be made available at a disproportionate cost.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the enforcement powers of the Competition and Markets Authority.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of insecure employment contracts on workers in the retail and hospitality sectors.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of consumers affected by online retail fraud.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes in operating costs on small and medium-sized enterprises in the past 12 months.

The Department for Business and Trade recognises that SMEs are facing a challenging set of cost pressures, exacerbated by the ongoing situation in the Middle East. To support SMEs bring down costs and improve cashflow, the Government has introduced a £4.3 billion transitional support package on business rates, protected apprenticeship funding for SMEs, committed to cut the annual administrative burden of regulation by £5.6bn in this parliament and are introducing the Commercial Payments Bill to make sure small businesses are paid on time. The Business Growth Service also provides businesses with access to practical help to navigate current economic pressures.

What steps he is taking to promote ethical business practices.

The UK has a range of measures in place to promote ethical business practices. In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review of the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on addressing human rights abuses, labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains. The review is objective and evidence‑based, examining both existing policies and potential alternative approaches. We will update the House when the review is complete.