Chris Curtis

This government is determined to get even more small and medium sized firms exporting.

Last month, we launched the Enhanced Trade Partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This partnership pilots a focused export support scheme designed to offer unparalleled targeted support to accelerate business growth through selling their products and services overseas. We have launched Unlock Europe, a new export programme designed to help UK businesses build stronger relationships with European customers.

As part of our work on a new trade strategy and a small business strategy, we are looking at further proposals to help our businesses export more.

I refer the Hon. Member for Milton Keynes North to the answer I gave on 6 November 2024 to the Question 11470.

I refer the Hon. Member for Milton Keynes North to the answer I gave on 6 November 2024 to the Question 11470.

Funding for each individual hospital, including Milton Keynes Hospital, will be determined through a business case process to ensure value for taxpayers' money. In line with this process, funding is confirmed following review and agreement of the Final Business Case. Milton Keynes has therefore not yet had full funding confirmed.

Up to the end of 2023/24, the total amount received by Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in funding for the Milton Keynes Hospital scheme was £13.7 million. This provided funding for several activities to develop their new hospital scheme including developing their business case, professional fees and early enabling works.

As announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget Statement, my rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, will set out further details of his review into the New Hospital Programme in the coming weeks, with a publication to follow in the new year.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. 176 hubs have been announced so far, and 100 are already open.

The specific location of these hubs is determined independently by LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network. Criteria that LINK considers includes whether another bank branch remains nearby, the local population, the number of cash-accepting businesses and the financial vulnerability of the community.

Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.