Devon MP slams Prime Minister for failing small businesses with ‘another missed chance’

South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith has criticised the Prime Minister for what she described as a “disappointing and disconnected” response to concerns raised about small businesses during this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.

Ms Smith challenged the Prime Minister over the growing pressures facing local high streets and small firms, calling for urgent relief from rising business rates and stronger government action to protect jobs.

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“Last week, I invited the Prime Minister to match the Conservative pledge to scrap business rates for our high streets. However, he declined,” she said.

“Since then, businesses have told me that the Labour Government’s small business strategy will make little or no difference to their future.

With 17,000 high street businesses expected to close this year alone, when will the Government deliver real support instead of excuses?”

In response, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Government’s small business plan was developed “with small businesses” and highlighted measures including £1 billion in additional lending and £3 billion to help small firms scale up.

He also pointed to reforms tackling late payments, calling them the “biggest reform in 25 years.”

Ms Smith dismissed the reply as inadequate, arguing that it failed to address the urgent financial pressures faced by local businesses.

“Labour’s strategy clearly isn’t working,” she said. “Our high streets are fighting for survival, but this Government is turning its back on them. Without genuine relief from crushing business rates, more family-run shops and cafés will be forced to close, leaving empty high streets and lost livelihoods.”

Last week, The Moorlander reported that Ms Smith had questioned the Prime Minister on small business support during PMQs and launched a local survey to gather views from more than 3,000 small and medium-sized enterprises across South West Devon.

According to early responses from that survey, 97% of local business owners said they were worried about what the upcoming Autumn Budget will mean for their future.

Ms Smith said she would continue to press the Government for “tangible support” for small firms in her constituency.

“The survival of our local high streets depends on real measures, not tired soundbites,” she said.

“Businesses cannot wait any longer, they need action now to protect jobs, families, and communities.”