Oral QuestionDepartment for Business and Trade

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support businesses in rural areas.

Tabled: 6 March 2025Answered: 13 March 2025

Asked by

Jamie Stone

Liberal DemocratCaithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Business and Trade

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Gareth Thomas)

Businesses in rural areas offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy. We are working across Government to unlock the full potential of rural businesses as part of the Government’s growth mission. We are committed to launching a business growth service inspired by the US Small Business Administration, which will operate in partnership with devolved Governments and the growth hub network in England to make it easier to access support from Government for all businesses.