Oral Question·Department of Health and Social Care
“If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.”
Tabled: 25 May 2023Answered: 6 June 2023
Asked by
Sarah Owen
Labour — Luton North
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Answer from Hansard
Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)
Over the past five years, SMEs have faced a challenging operating environment because of the consequences of the Liz Truss Budget, the poorly negotiated trade deal with Europe, covid and increasing global uncertainty. Interest rates have come down four times under this Government, we have negotiated a new trade deal with Europe and, complementing our industrial and trade strategies, we will bring forward an SME strategy to put in place further long-term support to help SMEs start up and expand.