§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information her Department has collected regarding the number of small-and medium-sized enterprises that have gone out of business in the past 12 months owing to the high cost of employer's liability compulsory insurance. [132859]
§ Nigel GriffithsIn my discussions with the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, Institute of Directors, CBI SME Council and the Forum of Private Business in the past 12 months, during which time this subject has been raised, they have provided no figures and no specific cases of businesses citing these cases as the sole reason for ceasing to trade. Nor has the DTI been able to source such information elsewhere.
I have been working with these organisations and the insurers to address issues arising from employer's liability insurance.