Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a framework for smaller employers to incorporate new support, training and employability initiatives.

Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are the backbone of our economy and have a key role to play in driving economic growth.

The Department for Education set a strategy for skills reform in England in the Skills for Jobs white paper, putting employers at the heart of the skills system and the Government is investing an additional £3.8 billion over this Parliament to ensure workers can develop the skills businesses need.

By the end of FY 2022/23 Government will also have invested over £118m for the 38 English Growth Hubs to provide SMEs with free advice, alongside our Business Support Helpline.