{"value":{"id":1908412,"askingMemberId":4765,"askingMember":null,"house":"Commons","memberHasInterest":false,"dateTabled":"2026-05-14T00:00:00","dateForAnswer":"2026-05-21T00:00:00","uin":"900085","questionText":"To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support businesses with operating costs.","answeringBodyId":214,"answeringBodyName":"Department for Business and Trade","isWithdrawn":false,"isNamedDay":true,"groupedQuestions":[],"answerIsHolding":false,"answerIsCorrection":false,"answeringMemberId":1446,"answeringMember":null,"correctingMemberId":null,"correctingMember":null,"dateAnswered":"2026-05-21T00:00:00","answerText":"<p>This Government recognises that SMEs have faced a challenging set of cost pressures over the past year, and we are taking action to reduce those costs and improve cash flow.</p><p>We are cutting the administrative burden of regulation by £5.6 billion, supporting businesses through a £4.3 billion business rates package, protecting apprenticeship funding, and improving payment practices so firms are paid more quickly and reliably.</p><p>Taken together, these will help businesses manage costs, strengthen resilience, and focus on growth.</p>","originalAnswerText":"","comparableAnswerText":"","dateAnswerCorrected":null,"dateHoldingAnswer":null,"attachmentCount":0,"heading":"Business: Operating Costs","attachments":[],"groupedQuestionsDates":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Questions/1908412","method":"GET"}]}