The Government is set to launch a Small Business Council which will bring together SME leaders from across the country.
Scheduled for launch next month, the Council is being established as a bespoke forum for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises to have their voices represented within Government.
The initiative is being announced as a further demonstration of the Government’s desire to meet the specific needs of the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local communities and drive the UK’s economy, supporting jobs and wages across the country.
“This new Council will mean SMEs have a clear voice at the table and we can deliver on the key needs for business.
“We are taking action to ensure that they have the support, tools and guidance they need to thrive – because when small businesses succeed, the UK succeeds.”
At the same time the Government’s Help to Grow campaign and website has been refreshed to create a one-stop shop for SMEs to find the information they need to build their businesses and scale up.
This will include help for small firms to clearly identify what funding they can access, webinars and a step-by-step guide to the basics of setting up a business for the first time.
The new site will bring together the support on offer from the government into one place, making it quicker and easier to find the resources business leaders and budding entrepreneurs need to succeed.
Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “I know first-hand how important small businesses are, but I also understand some of the barriers they face to start up or grow their existing firm.
“Which is why I’m proud of the work we’re doing as Government to really tackle some of the burning issues SMEs face on a daily basis – only then can we help boost jobs and grow the economy.”
