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New Businesses: Economic Growth

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 18 May 2026UIN 131

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of barriers to growth on start-up businesses.

Answered by Blair McDougall

The government is committed to supporting start-ups through the Small Business Plan, the most comprehensive package of support for small and medium-sized businesses in a generation.

The Plan sets out measures to help start-ups across the UK, including tackling late payments, improving access to finance, cutting unnecessary red tape, revitalising high streets and supporting digital and AI adoption.

The Business Growth Service, launched as part of the Plan, gives start-ups a single point of access for advice and support. We are also improving access to finance through Start Up Loans provided by the British Business Bank.

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