Question follow-through · 16988

Business: Rural Areas

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support (a) start ups and (b) SMEs in rural areas.

answeredDepartment for Business and Trade

About this written question

A written question asks a government minister for information in writing. Parliament publishes the question and any answer.

Answering body
Department for Business and Trade
Tabled
29 Nov 2024
Target answer date
3 Dec 2024
Answer
10 Dec 2024 · 11 calendar days after tabling

Elapsed calendar days describe the record timeline, not whether Parliament considers an answer on time.

More questions by this MP on Economy and business

Shared topic keywords suggest a connection; they do not establish a follow-up.

Votes on this topic

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Recorded timeline

  1. 29 Nov 2024

    Question tabled

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support (a) start ups and (b) SMEs in rural areas.

  2. 3 Dec 2024

    Target answer date

    Date supplied by the official written-questions record.

  3. 10 Dec 2024

    Answer published

    All businesses can access support through their local Growth Hubs, providing advice and support, shaping the offer around unique needs, whether town or country.The Secretary of State recently announced the Business Growth Service ensuring businesses acros...

Open official record

Official data retrieved 27 Sept 2026.

Later records

Possible follow-up questions

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Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Disclosure of Information

17 Dec 2024 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve protections for whistleblowers.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Overseas Trade: Rural Areas

19 Dec 2024 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she is taking steps to support small businesses in rural areas with international trade.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Car Washes: Licensing

19 Dec 2024 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to establish a licensing regime for hand carwashes.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Car Washes: Codes of Practice

7 Jan 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make the Responsible Car Wash Scheme’s Code of Practice mandatory.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Small Businesses: Exports

16 Jan 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help tackle barriers to export for small businesses.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Post Offices: Rural Areas

28 Jan 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to (a) protect and (b) enhance the Post Office network in rural areas.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Hospitality Industry: Rural Areas

28 Jan 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what fiscal measures he is taking to support the hospitality sector in rural areas.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Post Offices: Rural Areas

11 Mar 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to help protect Post Office services in rural areas.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Exports

8 Apr 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to maintain the level of UK exports.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Department for Business and Trade: Apprentices

9 Jul 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to increase apprenticeship opportunities within his Department.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Retail Trade: South Shropshire

10 Oct 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support (a) high streets and (b) town centres in South Shropshire constituency.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Royal Mail: Rural Areas

4 Nov 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Royal Mail on tackling postal delays in rural communities.