To ask Her Majesty's Government how the proposed European Union state aid modernisation review will enhance their capacity to address market failures which restrict the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.

We anticipate that the modernisation process will include a proposal to increase the amount of aid available for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) investment and consultancy available under the general block exemption regulation (GBER). We also expect that the risk capital guidelines will be revised to help bridge the equity gap faced by SMEs. The UK shall also work with the Commission to ensure that the more generous intervention rates for SMEs across all types of aid are maintained.