Cross government action to unleash enterprise and help small business
These businesses will be vital to economic growth as they are at the heart of the economy, providing 60 per cent of jobs and half of GDP. But…
These businesses will be vital to economic growth as they are at the heart of the economy, providing 60 per cent of jobs and half of GDP. But despite 66 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being ambitious to grow within two to three years, just 20 per cent expand their workforce each year.
To help translate aspiration into action today, ministers from Department for Business, Cabinet Office, Treasury and Communities and Local Government have announced three major policies to:
*improve access to finance;
*make it easier to do business with the public sector; and
*allow social tenants to start up their business at home.
Lord Young has today taken up the role of Enterprise Advisor to the Prime Minister, to propose new ways of encouraging business start-ups, reducing burdens, maximising procurement opportunities and engaging with small businesses.
Government achievements for small business are published in a document today entitled: ‘Backing small business’.
Minister for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk said:
“As a former small business owner I know how important our SMEs are to the growth of this country. I entered government with the goal of making this the most entrepreneurial decade in our history and I’m confident today’s
announcements will help make that a reality.”
Improving access to finance
The Government is committed to ensuring there are a wide range of finance options available to small business looking to expand. In July the green paper, Financing a Private Sector Recovery, was launched and received over 180 submissions.
Today the Business Secretary Vince Cable and Chancellor George Osborne respond to the consultation and announce several major policies.
*We will continue the successful Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) for the next four years, making around £2 billion available to viable small companies without a credit history or collateral. This will provide support to 6,000 SMEs a year. We will also make it easier for small and specialist lenders, such as Community Development Finance Institutions to lend under EFG, supporting companies in disadvantaged communities.
*The government will commit a further £200m to Enterprise Capital Funds supporting equity investments in the highest growth potential businesses over four years, and it’s anticipated the first of the new funds will be investing early in the new year.
*To encourage ‘business angel’ investments government welcomes the joint bid of business angels and the Government’s SME investment arm, Capital for Enterprise, for a co-investment fund as part of the Regional Growth Fund to support angel investments into high growth potential early stage SMEs, particularly in areas worst affected by public spending cuts.
*The government will also work with banks on several areas launched in their response to the green paper, the Business Finance Taskforce. This includes the £1.5 billion Business Growth Fund, mentoring and a new lending code.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
“Small businesses are critical for growth in this country. But to expand they need access to a range of finance options. The government is doing its part by supporting a further £2 billion of bank lending through the popular Enterprise Finance Guarantee which will provide real help to viable small companies looking to grow.
“Now we need the banks to play their part and increase normal commercial lending to get the economy growing.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said:
“Ensuring that viable businesses have access to suitable and diverse sources of finance is crucial for helping to get the economy growing again. The government is dedicated to creating the conditions for strong, sustainable growth, by ensuring the UK has competitive, dynamic and efficient markets that provide the right support to business. Today’s
announcements are important steps to help this happen.
“These measures will ensure stable financial conditions for business, a more competitive and transparent banking system and access to a more diverse range of sources of finance that suits their needs. The private sector is also taking steps to provide a diverse range of finance options for businesses - a development which is welcomed by government.”
Making it easier to do business with the public sector
The government is committed to ensuring small businesses can maximise opportunities through the wider public sector. We have set a goal to award a quarter of government contracts to SMEs. We will work with departments to ensure they are fulfilling this aim and expect them to increase their rate of SME procurement each year. We will also work
with all government agencies to remove those barriers that prevent small businesses accessing government contracts. From December 2010 we will introduce a standardised Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, developed in close co-operation with SMEs through the Federation of Small Businesses, and make its use mandatory across central government. We are also announcing an industry-sponsored ‘Lean Study’ that will significantly speed up the procurement process, which will report in December 2010.
Government also reaffirms the commitment that 80% of prime contractors are paid with 5 working days. All Government contractors will be required to pay their suppliers with 30 days if they wish to benefit from departments’ procurement. For central Government construction contracts - a key area of spend - the commitment to payment within 30 days has been made a contractual requirement and applies through the supply chain.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said:
“We believe small businesses and social enterprises have a vital role to play in the growth of the UK economy and we are committed to making it easier for these organisations to compete for government business.
“Today’s package of measures announced by the Cabinet Office will help to remove the barriers many small businesses face and eliminate complexities and waste in the procurement process. They will also ensure we are on our way to hitting our aspiration that 25 per cent of government contracts go to small and medium enterprises.”
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Allowing social tenants to start up their business at home**
We want to send a strong signal that enterprise is for everyone, including people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
There are currently barriers preventing social tenants from applying to start up a business based in their home. We will remove those barriers and work with social landlords to encourage their tenants to develop entrepreneurial skills.
In late November Jobcentre Plus will be running a campaign across all of its Jobcentres so that its Advisers can signpost people looking for work and interested in starting their own businesses to the support available to business start ups as well as opportunities for franchising.
Housing Minister Grant Shapps said:
“Tenants should have the same opportunities as anyone else, and landlords have the key to unlocking this untapped entrepreneurial talent. I want them to get the message out loud and clear to their residents that wherever possible, and in the majority of cases, they will be able to set up and run their new businesses from home.
“Of course, councils and housing associations must consider the possible impact on neighbours that a new company in the area could make. But I urge them to use their common sense and, where a tenant is making a reasonable request to start their career at home, that it be granted.”
Today the Intellectual Property Office has announced that it will provide £3 million to support 300 companies. This includes putting money into the Small Business Research Initiative, which uses government procurement to
drive innovation. This comes from internal savings.
In late November Jobcentre Plus will be running a campaign across all of its Jobcentres so that its Advisers can signpost people looking for work and interested in starting their own businesses to the support available to business start ups as well as opportunities for franchising.
P/2010/221
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Notes to editors:**
- To view the Number 10 announcements, including Lord Young’s appointment, visit:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/topstorynews/2010/11/small-business-56408
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For further information and to download ‘Backing small business ‘ visit: www.bis.gov.uk/backing-small-business
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Financing a Private Sector Recovery received 183 submissions covering equity finance, bank relationships and business angels. The Government’s response can be viewed at: www.bis.gov.uk/businessfinance
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There are 4.8 million small and medium sized businesses (those that employ below 250 people) in the UK.
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The Department for Business will later today publish a report on the Micro Business Project. It found many micro-businesses are concerned about the effects of regulation. Lord Young will address these issues as part of his remit.
- Small Business Minister Mark Prisk would like to hear from businesses and entrepreneurs on Linkedin - What are the barriers holding back your business that Government could help remove? Join the group and the discussion here: http://www.linkedin.com/answers?browseQuestions=&filter=o&sort=n&category=STR&goback=%2Emid_I145339
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Notes to Editors
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