Oral Answers to Questions

Kevin Hollinrake Excerpts

Thursday 10th June 2021 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

What steps she is taking to ensure that trade agreements provide a level playing field for SMEs.

[The Minister for Trade Policy (Greg Hands) [V]]

Employing 17 million people and generating £2.3 trillion in turnover, small and medium-sized enterprises are vital to increasing UK trade. That is why we are continuing to seek SME chapters and SME-friendly provisions throughout all our free trade agreements. Outside the SME chapter, the wider benefits of the agreements—for example, reducing customs costs, supporting intellectual property rights, facilitating mutual recognition of professional qualifications and increasing regulatory transparency—will help to level the field between SMEs and large businesses.