VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Small Businesses

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 18 November 2025UIN 89485

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the written statement of 21 October 2025, HCWS973, on Regulation Action Plan Update and Modernisation of Corporate Reporting, if he will increase the definition of SME firms from 250 to 500 employees.

Answered by Blair McDougall

The Department introduced legislation earlier this year that raised the monetary thresholds for micro, small, medium, and large companies by approximately 50%, thereby reducing reporting obligations for 133,000 companies moving into a smaller size category. Saving companies £240 million per year. As part of the announced modernisation of corporate reporting review, we will publish a broad, holistic consultation in 2026 which will set out our vision for corporate reporting including who should be required to report.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim