Oral Answers to Questions

Mary Macleod Excerpts

Thursday 20th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking to increase the number of small and medium-sized enterprises which export to international markets.

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to increase the number of small and medium-sized enterprises which export to international markets.

[The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Michael Fallon)]

Exporting is a key part of the Government’s plans to return the economy to sustained and balanced growth. That is why we have increased funding to UK Trade and Investment in the autumn statement—an extra £140 million over the next two years—enabling UKTI to double the number of small and medium-sized firms supported from 25,000 to 50,000 by 2015.

[Michael Fallon]

I congratulate Automotive Insulations on its extraordinary success over the past few years. Of course for an automotive company it may make sense to start with helping to penetrate the European supply chains, but in due course it may want to look further afield. In the end, this is a matter for the company to decide, but of course it is for the Government to provide help and advice.

[Mary Macleod]

Brentford and Isleworth is one of the fastest growing areas for new businesses in the country, with an increase of about 9%. It is important that we encourage SMEs to export around the world so that people can experience what is great about buying British. Will my right hon. Friend support and attend a trade and investment fair that I would like to organise for west London in the springtime, which will give local businesses more information on breaking into emerging markets and help them grow for the future?