Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support (a) start ups and (b) SMEs in rural areas.

All businesses can access support through their local Growth Hubs, providing advice and support, shaping the offer around unique needs, whether town or country.

The Secretary of State recently announced the Business Growth Service ensuring businesses across the UK get support and advice from government.

Rural areas offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy. DBT works with other departments such as Defra, helping people living and working in rural areas to realise the full potential of rural businesses and communities placing them at the heart of our policymaking.