Written question asked by Mark Todd (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 March 2010. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Thursday, 18 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Business: Snow and Ice

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the effect on small businesses of the recent severe weather conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Department has not undertaken an assessment of the effect of the recent severe weather conditions on small businesses specifically. It is likely that any negative impact on the economy as a whole resulting from the recent adverse weather will be largely short-term, with some delayed activity shifted to later months, for example. The Government continue to monitor all relevant factors from a range of sources to inform its assessment of the UK economy.

Secondary information