Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of closure rates among small and independent hospitality businesses compared to larger chains; and what targeted support is available to those smaller operators.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department has not made a formal assessment of closure rates among “independent” hospitality businesses. Official statistics do not distinguish independent businesses from larger chains. However, ONS data provide context, showing that the number of private sector food and beverage service enterprises increased by around 16,300 between 2019 and 2025, with SMEs growing by around 11.8% and large enterprises by around 4.3% over the same period.
The Government recognises that smaller and independent hospitality businesses are a vital part of local economies, sustaining high streets, supporting jobs and contributing to community life. From 2026–27, we are introducing permanently lower business rates multipliers for eligible Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000. Smaller operators are also supported through the Small Business Plan, which sets out a comprehensive package of support for SMEs, including improved access to advice and finance through the Business Growth Service.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the economic impact of hospitality business closures on high streets and town centres, particularly in regions with above-average closure rates.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Hospitality businesses play a vital role in the economic health of high streets and town centres, supporting jobs, footfall and local supply chains.
The Government monitors developments affecting businesses on the high street and is taking action to support retail, hospitality and leisure businesses through measures such as licensing changes, business rates reform and wider plans to reinvigorate high streets and support local growth across all regions. This includes working with the hospitality sector to develop a High Streets Strategy that is due to be published later in the year.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the work of the new Retail and Hospitality Envoy will extend to Scotland; and whether the Envoy will be engaging with representative bodies such as the Scottish Retail Consortium.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
At the recent Budget, the Government announced its intention to appoint a Retail and Hospitality Envoy to champion the sector across Government. The detail of the role is being finalised, the Envoy will be expected to work collaboratively with Government departments, existing councils, trade bodies and businesses.
Retail and Hospitality policy in Scotland is still devolved and any matters relating specifically to Scottish Retail or Hospitality policy should be directed to the Scottish Government.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the Scotch whisky industry.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
DBT leads a whole of Government effort, working with devolved governments and the sector to support this important industry, which exported £5.6bn of Scotch Whisky worldwide in 2023. We boost exports by leveraging trade agreements and removing barriers. For example, in August we announced the recognition of the Scotch Whisky Geographic Indicator in Brazil, valued at £25m over five years. We will continue to spotlight Scotch Whisky at global trade shows in key markets, including a spirits trade mission to India in November. The Export Academy food and drink programme, launched in October, offers dedicated upskilling to both emerging and experienced distilleries.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he plans to take to help increase exports from companies in the north east of Scotland.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
My department continues to work with Scottish Government and Scottish Development International to boost exports across Scotland. We specifically work with Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, North east and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support export growth from the north east.
This Government recognises that the north east is well placed to play a key role in sectors including energy and food and drink. DBT Scotland has dedicated specialists covering these areas in addition to technology, finance and professional business services, and life sciences to take advantage of the DBT offer and increase exports from the north east of Scotland. In addition, the UK Wide Export Champions programme is uniquely operated in Scotland as a mutually appointed partnership with Scottish Development International and the Scottish Government.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment his Department has made of the value of the Scotch whisky industry to the economy.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
According to research published by the Scotch Whisky Association, the Scotch Whisky industry contributed £7.1 billion to the UK economy in 2022, supporting 66,000 jobs across the UK. Scotch Whisky is also the UK’s leading food and drink export, with exports valued at £5.6 billion in 2023. My department continues to support this economically vital industry by opening new markets, tackling trade barriers and challenging unfair trade practices around the world to maximise international opportunities.