Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many small businesses are registered in Northamptonshire; how many such businesses were registered in Northamptonshire in 2010; and what assessment he has made of the health of the local business environment in that county.

Northamptonshire has 30,665 registered small/micro private sector businesses with fewer than 50 employees in 2016, compared to 24,175 in 2010 (ONS).

Velocity Growth Hub, through its Northamptonshire spoke, supported 1385 businesses in 2016/17 to start and grow.

The Midland Engine Investment Fund provides access to finance for businesses, accelerating economic growth and job creation.