Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the ease of opening bank accounts for small businesses.

The Government has put in place a range of measures to support small businesses, including making it easier for them to find a bank that meets their needs. For example, the Business Banking Insight survey will help the UK's SMEs understand their options, make decisions about who they should bank with, and plan how they will finance their growth. It provides detailed information on what the UK's SMEs think about every aspect of their bank, and includes a ranking of banks against key indicators.

In addition, the British Bankers' Association website hosts a 'Business Account Finder'. This provides information on a range of financial services available to businesses, including current accounts. It presents a list of the most competitive current accounts available with separate sections for sole traders, limited companies, charities and other types of business.