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 businesses with operating costs.

This Government recognises that SMEs have faced a challenging set of cost pressures over the past year, and we are taking action to reduce those costs and improve cash flow.

We are cutting the administrative burden of regulation by £5.6 billion, supporting businesses through a £4.3 billion business rates package, protecting apprenticeship funding, and improving payment practices so firms are paid more quickly and reliably.

Taken together, these will help businesses manage costs, strengthen resilience, and focus on growth.