Oral Answers to Questions

Alex Baker Excerpts

Thursday 5th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[David Burton-Sampson (Southend West and Leigh) (Lab)]

1. What assessment he has made of the potential contribution of small businesses to the Government’s growth mission.

[Alex Baker (Aldershot) (Lab)]

4. What assessment he has made of the potential contribution of small businesses to the Government’s growth mission.

[Ashley Dalton (West Lancashire) (Lab)]

18. What assessment he has made of the potential contribution of small businesses to the Government’s growth mission.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alex Baker]

Small businesses in my constituency are keen to play their part in the Government’s growth agenda, but they tell me that they have been priced out of trading in Farnborough town centre because of rising costs. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating the Federation of Small Businesses, which this September celebrates its 50th year of supporting small businesses in the UK? What is his Department doing to ensure that small businesses that want to trade on the high street are supported to do so?

[Jonathan Reynolds]

I also welcome my hon. Friend to her place. I was pleased to meet her at the Farnborough air show, of which I am sure her community is extremely proud. I also extend birthday wishes to the Federation of Small Businesses, with which we work very closely, particularly on policies on issues such as late payments. I am always aware of the FSB’s incredible coverage; it has over 150,000 members across the country. Of course, the FSB began in Blackpool, so it is another great thing that the north-west of England has given this country.