§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates she has made of the value of small retail businesses to the UK economy. [88645]
§ Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 7 January 2003]: Small and medium-sized enterprises are critical to the UK economy, generating new jobs and contributing to over half of the UK business revenue. Recent figures estimate there were 3.7 million enterprises employing nearly 23 million people, and with an annual turnover of over £2 trillion. Small retail businesses (sector 52 with 0 to 249 employees) represent 8 per cent. of all enterprises, 5 per cent. of all work force jobs and account for 4 per cent. of the UK turnover.