It was a great pleasure to visit On Target, a Northampton-based indoor air rifle range and shop, in Brackmills ahead of the recent fifth UK Small Business Saturday on the 2nd December. I met the owner, Gordon Gaze, and had the opportunity to hear about his journey from enthusiastic hobbyist to entrepreneur, and his success in winning the 2017 Northamptonshire Best New Business Award.

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign that highlights small business successes, and encourages consumers to shop locally and support small businesses, which is something that I know my colleagues across the House of Commons seek to do.

Gordon's story, and his experience first-hand of what the Government can do to support new business start-ups, is an excellent example to anyone thinking of going into business themselves. Small businesses in particular are the life-blood of our communities and our economy, and I am delighted to continue to champion them.