Labour responds to Grant Shapps announcing that the government will close down the Help to Grow scheme

Seema Malhotra MP, Labour’s Shadow BEIS Minister, responding to Grant Shapps announcing that the government will close down the Help to Grow: Digital scheme for small business early next year, said:

“British firms are crying out for help in the face of rising prices and inflation, yet all Rishi Sunak delivered was a piecemeal scheme that they now admit hasn’t worked.

“Today’s announcement is yet another admission of failure by a government that is failing small businesses, and with no plan for growth. Labour has repeatedly warned the Government about the design of the Help to Grow: Digital scheme and its low take-up.

“Labour would cut business rates for small business, legislate to tackle late payments and make Britain the best place to start and grow a business. It’s clear only Labour backs British business.”

Ends

Notes

Written statement from the Secretary of State announcing the closure of the Help to Grow: Digital scheme: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2022-12-15/hcws450

Labour has repeatedly raised warnings about the scheme (see:https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-09-20/debates/2f00a974-06e4-4766-9d6c-293c1562eeb6/HelpToGrowDigital and https://www.cityam.com/exclusive-support-scheme-for-smes-post-covid-has-hit-just-1-per-cent-of-its-target/)