Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Crabb and Karen Lumley

Wednesday 13th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

2. What assessment he has made of the adequacy of Government support for small and medium-sized businesses in Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Crabb)]

Our nation’s small businesses are the true heroes of this economic recovery, and I am proud to be part of a Government who are on their side. SMEs have created two thirds of all the new jobs in the private sector in Wales since 2010. As we continue to reduce regulation and lower taxes, support for small businesses right across the UK has never been stronger.

[Karen Lumley]

This year is the British Chambers of Commerce year of action on exports. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on how he is helping small businesses in Wales to punch above their weight this year?

[Stephen Crabb]

My hon. Friend raises a very important point. We have set ourselves a really ambitious target of £1 trillion of exports from the UK by 2020. If we are going to have any hope of meeting that target, we need to engage with SMEs right across the UK, especially in Wales. That is why I will be in north Wales tomorrow, with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade and Investment, promoting everything that north Wales has to offer.