§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what feedback she has received from small companies in relation to the impact of the higher marginal rate on profits in the band £10,000 to £50,000 since its introduction; and what her assessment is of the impact. [153557]
§ Dawn PrimaroloI have been asked to reply.
The introduction of lower rates of corporation tax has reduced the corporation tax liability of small companies, and has been welcomed by business. The introduction of the starting rate of corporation tax in April 2000, now at 0 per cent., and the reduction in the small companies' rate in April 2002 to 19 per cent. will together have reduced the CT liability of companies who make profits of between £1 0,000 and £50,000 by £2,000 at the lower end of this range to £500 at the higher end.
§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the(a) total and (b) yearly small business service budget was devoted to deregulatory initiatives in each year since its inception. [154189]
§ Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 10 February 2004]The information is as follows:
Administration costs (£000) Percentage of total 2000–01 725 10 2001–02 1,061 10.8 2002–03 1,505 12.7 2003–04 1,530 12.5
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies have benefited from the Small Business Loan Scheme in(a) the North West, (b) Lancashire and (c) Chorley in each of the last three years. [153843]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe following table shows the number of companies that have benefited from the Small Firms Loan Guarantee in the North West, Lancashire and Chorley in the last three years.
1629W
Financial year North West Lancashire Chorley 2000–01 371 141 3 2001–02 451 142 4 2002–03 417 122 6 2003–041 512 156 7 1 Ten months to 31 January 2004