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8 November 2023 - SME Finance - Oral evidence

Committee Treasury Committee
Inquiry SME Finance

Wednesday 8 November 2023

Start times: 2:00pm (private) 2:15pm (public)


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Are British SMEs being held back by a lack of access to finance and banking services? 

The inquiry will examine challenges facing small businesses in accessing capital, and what disadvantages they face when compared to big corporations.  

Meeting details

At 2:15pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry SME Finance
Institute of Management Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London
Director of Policy & Insights at British Chambers of Commerce
Policy Director at The Federation of Small Businesses
Enterprise Committee member at Royal Academy of Engineering

Likely areas of questioning

The cross-party Committee will ask experts and industry bodies for their views on the accessibility of financing and the difficulties a small business may experience when applying for capital from a traditional lender.  

MPs are also likely to ask whether banks have fallen short in providing services to SMEs, particularly related to a lack of local banking services for SMEs based outside major cities. 

Members are likely to probe whether smaller businesses are overlooked by financial firms as well as looking at if banks and the Government engage SMEs enough to ensure they are aware of different financing options.   

The Committee may also seek views from the industry groups about the role of the Government in supporting the SME finance landscape, including what additional support and intervention they would like to see. 

Location

The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

How to attend