Oral QuestionDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

“What steps his Department is taking to help tackle loneliness.”

Tabled: 23 March 2020Answered: 26 March 2020

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Answer from Hansard

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Jonathan Reynolds)

Small businesses are the beating heart of our high streets and communities, and are essential to our economic success. That is why, on Small Business Saturday, I announced the business growth service, which will ensure that businesses across the UK get quicker and easier support and advice from Government. Further announcements include the disability finance code for entrepreneurship to improve access to capital and tackle inequality for disabled entrepreneurs. A new fair payment code was launched by the Office of the Small Business Commissioner to help address late payments. Next year, as my hon. Friend has said, the small business strategy will be published to create thriving high streets, easier access to finance, open overseas and domestic markets and enhanced business capability.