Small Businesses: Finance

Lord Bishop of Exeter Excerpts

Thursday 26th January 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox]

I thank my noble friend for his question. The answer is: yes, I do.

[The Lord Bishop of Exeter]

Is the noble Baroness aware that in a county such as Devon, at the heart of the rural economy are a host of small and micro businesses? Is she further aware of the particular challenges facing small, rural businesses as they try to raise start-up capital and money for ongoing investment at this time? Will she gave an assurance that the various programmes that she mentioned, as well as local enterprise partnerships, are properly weighing the needs of rural businesses compared with those in more urban areas?

[Baroness Wilcox]

The right reverend Prelate makes a very fine point. As he knows, I come from Devon. All the banks are being made aware of the fact that not everyone comes to them with the same case. Banks have heard so much criticism since the Government took office that they are very sensitive to the need to make sure, certainly in rural areas, that they are seen to be listening sympathetically to every case.