Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department issues guidance on steps that members can take to support (a) foreign direct investment, (b) local businesses that export, (c) small and medium-sized enterprises and (d) start-ups in their constituency.

The Department for Business and Trade works closely with MPs to encourage exports and attract foreign direct investment including through our network of Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys.

At an Export Showcase for parliamentarians in March we shared information about export support available to business and guidance on signposting businesses to the department. We published an ‘MP Toolkit’ to help members support and encourage exporters in their constituencies.

We provide a range of support and guidance to help small and medium-sized enterprises grow, including the free Business Support Helpline and newly-launched Help to Grow website. Businesses of all sizes can access government-backed finance from the British Business Bank.