SHOPS

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate (a) the number of independent shops in England and (b) how many such shops have closed in each of the last five years. [153054]

Michael Fallon, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise: There is no agreed definition of "independent". However, on 23 April 2013 the Office for National Statistics published figures on their website showing the total number of births, deaths and active enterprises in England in the retail sector by employment size band, sole proprietor and partnerships only, (excluding motor vehicles and motor cycles) from 2007 to 2011. This information is summarised as follows:

Births, death and number of active sole proprietors and partnerships in the retail sector, 2007-11
Active Births Deaths
2011 88, 820 7,305 8,915
2010 92,660 7,565 8,755
2009 96,860 7,920 11,555
2008 102,215 8,825 11,835
2007 108, 975 10,150 11,870

DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT

Parliament has been dissolved until after the General Election on 12th December and there are now no MPs. This website is for reference of my work when I was a Member of Parliament.

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