Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help support small employers with increases in the national minimum wage.

The Government will be undertaking an extensive communications campaign to ensure businesses are informed and ready for the April 2024 upratings.

More broadly, the Government has regular engagement with key stakeholders at ministerial and official level including with the Federation of Small Business.

The Government provides extensive business support measures, with over 40 offers to help all types of businesses.

The Government has announced a business rates package worth £4.3 billion, and a new Energy Bills Discount Scheme, to help businesses with their bills.

Businesses can also access support via the Business Support Helpline, Gov.uk, and through our network of local Growth Hubs across England.