Oral Answers to Questions

James Cleverly Excerpts

Tuesday 31st January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

I am surprised that the hon. Lady says that because the Government have had very productive discussions with the steel industry.

[James Cleverly (Braintree) (Con)]

3. What steps he is taking to support the self-employed.

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking to support the self-employed.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Margot James)]

The gov.uk website and the business support helpline provide information on starting and running a business. Growth hubs also provide access to local and national support. Some 4.8 million people are currently self-employed.

[James Cleverly]

When I started a business, I found that one of the most intimidating elements was employing my first member of staff. What more can the Government do to encourage and support the self-employed to grow their company and become employers in their own right?

[Margot James]

We will support entrepreneurs across the UK to ensure that they can access finance and wider support so that they can grow. British Business Bank programmes are already supporting £3.2 billion of finance to more than 51,000 smaller businesses, including start-up loans to 39 entrepreneurs in my hon. Friend’s Braintree constituency.