We need you to share your views and experiences on being a small business.

Contribute to the Government’s Small Business Inquiry.

The Business and Trade Select Committee scrutinises the policy, spending and administration of the Department for Business and Trade and its public bodies.

The Department for Business and Trade are the government department for economic growth.

The Business and Trade Select Committee is made up of MPs from across political parties and is chaired by Liam Byrne MP.

The Select Committee are currently undertaking an inquiry into small businesses.

At the Autumn Budget 2024, the government announced its intention to publish a Small Business Strategy “setting out the government’s vision for support for small businesses”. This will be published in 2025.

To ensure the Committee and Parliament can scrutinise this policy effectively, the Business & Trade Committee are conducting an inquiry to develop recommendations for the strategy and to set criteria against which to judge the Government’s progress.

In particular, they will assess how small business success can contribute to the Government’s overall objectives of raising the rates of economic growth, increasing disposable income and closing regional inequalities.

NCASS met with MPs and members of the Business and Trade Select Committee this week as part of the committee’s road trip to listen to the views of small businesses across the country as part of the committee’s inquiry into small businesses

It was a great opportunity to raise issues impacting on small catering and hospitality businesses and talk about how important they are. A thriving hospitality and events sector boosts foot fall and helps drive regeneration. It brings diversify and a sense of place to our communities.

We discussed the increasing cost pressures on small businesses from rising food and energy costs, business rates, National Insurance, and wage increases. The need for VAT reform, tax relief and targeted support for small businesses was made clear to ease pressure on margins in an increasingly tough business environment.

It is important that the views of as many hospitality and catering businesses are heard to ensure that the Government’s Small Business Strategy understands the needs of our sector.

Any business can contribute to the inquiry so please take 10 minutes to share your experiences via the online survey here