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Small Businesses: Insolvency

Asked by Dr Al PinkertonLiberal DemocratDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 22 May 2026UIN 519

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK’s exit from the EU on the rate of small and medium-sized enterprise dissolution since 2021.

Answered by Chris Bryant

Small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) have faced significant challenges trading with the EU since Brexit. This Government regularly engages with business representative organisations and industry stakeholders to understand the implications.

The UK-EU Summit in May 2025 marked a turning point. Negotiations on a food and drink agreement and on linking Emissions Trading Schemes will help reduce costs and red tape for UK businesses.

Our Business Growth Services provide practical support, including free business academy training and UK Export Finance for SMEs to export into the EU with confidence.

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