Supply2.gov.uk - Supplier Route to Government

SMEs to contribute to public contract debate

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Fri 14th November 2008
Source: Small Business UK
Link: www.smallbusiness.co.uk/

UK - The government is inviting SMEs to take part in a consultation to discuss ways in which to help more small businesses win public sector contracts.

[full story]

Brown promises small firms 10-day payment

Sector: What the papers say
Date Created: Fri 14th November 2008
Source: The Herald
Link: www.theherald.co.uk

UK - A pledge by Gordon Brown to pay small firms that work for the UK Government within 10 days of invoice has not been matched immediately by Holyrood.

The Prime Minister came to the aid of small businesses - those with fewer than 250 employees - announcing that those working for government departments will no longer have to wait 30 days for their money.

[full story]

Helping small and medium sized businesses through the economic slow down

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Fri 14th November 2008
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.co.uk

A package of further support to help small and medium sized businesses to bear the impact of the current global economic challenges is announced today by the Government.
Small and medium sized businesses employ about 13.5m people and are essential for the livelihoods of hard working families. Today's cross-Government package focuses on the things small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have identified as top priorities - cash flow, access to finance and training for staff.

[full story]

Local authorities to trial new Business Support Programme

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Fri 14th November 2008
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.co.uk

Seven local authorities are trialling the Government's new Business Support Simplification Programme, ensuring it will be ready for implementation across the UK by 2010.

[full story]

Small businesses' views sought on winning a greater share of Government business

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Fri 10th June 2008, 11:45:12
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.co.uk

UK - Anne Glover's committee, announced as part of the Enterprise Strategy and Budget 2008, today issued an online call for evidence as part of its work to help more small and medium sized businesses win public sector contracts.

[full story]

Funding to encourage business innovation

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Fri 9th May 2008, 11:36:02
Source: Scottish Government
Link: www.scotland.gov.uk

UK - Five projects will share in £2 million worth of grants to develop groundbreaking knowledge transfer projects.

[full story]

Support for small businesses

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 14th May 2008, 14:50:31
Source: Scottish Government
Link: www.scotland.gov.uk

UK - First Minister Alex Salmond visited a small business in Edinburgh to meet with staff and hear how the Small Business Bonus Scheme has benefitted the business.

[full story]

Procurement drive for small businesses

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 30th Apr 2008, 15:17:32
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

[full story]

Procurement drive for small businesses

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 30th Apr 2008, 15:17:32
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

[full story]

Small businesses to get free access to public sector contracts

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 30th Apr 2008, 15:16:03
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

[full story]

Brand new enterprise says 'y.e.s.' to sustainable small businesses

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Tue 15th Apr 2008, 13:36:33
Source: Knowledge to Innovate (North West)
Link: http://nds.coi.gov.uk

[full story]

New appointment to push through improved business support to firms

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Mon 14th Apr 2008, 15:44:32
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

[full story]

Tax return gets a new look for Spring

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Wed 9th Apr 2008, 12:56:58
Source: HM Revenue & Customs
Link: www.hmrc.gov.uk

[full story]

Common Commencement Date

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Tue 8th Apr 2008, 08:55:20
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

[full story]

New code to cut more red tape

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Mon 7th Apr 2008, 11:03:41
Source: BERR
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

[full story]

Business rates cut will 'aid economic growth'

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Fri 4th Apr 2008, 14:02:33
Source: Scottish Government
Link: www.scotland.gov.uk

[full story]

New environmental permits will cut red tape, save money, and put a spotlight on high risk businesses

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Thu 3rd Apr 2008, 11:01:40
Source: Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs
Link: www.defra.gov.uk

[full story]

Rates Relief save small businesses pounds

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Wed 2nd Apr 2008, 13:38:52
Source: West Norfolk Council
Link: www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/

[full story]

Changes to company law: help on the high street for small business

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Mon 31st Mar 2008, 13:00:10
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

[full story]

Builders onsite for £5 million innovation centre

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Fri 28th Mar 2008, 12:44:09
Source: South Somerset Council
Link: www.southsomerset.gov.uk

[full story]

Last chance for stars of UK enterprise to shine

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Thu 27th Mar 2008, 13:56:28
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

[full story]

Design London receives funding from LDA to help London businesses

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Thu 20th Mar 2008, 10:20:41
Source: Imperial College London
Link: www3.imperial.ac.uk

[full story]

Good news for West Midlands businesses as John Denham launches white paper to boost innovation

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Thu 13th Mar 2008, 13:17:18
Source: Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Link: www.dius.gov.uk

[full story]

Building an innovation nation: unlocking UK talent, raising productivity, boosting our economy
Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Thu 13th Mar 2008, 12:03:30
Source: Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Link: www.dius.gov.uk

[full story]

FSB welcomes a Budget speech with no nasty surprises
Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 12th Mar 2008, 15:15:21
Source: The Federation of Small Businesses
Link: www.fsb.org.uk

[full story]

Chancellor sets 30% SME target for procurement
Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Wed 12th Mar 2008, 14:07:18
Source: Kable
Link: http://www.kablenet.com

[full story]

Enterprise strategy making UK the best for business growth
Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 12th Mar 2008, 13:30:26
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

[full story]

Launch of £80 million South West Regional Infrastructure Fund
Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Tue 11th Mar 2008, 14:01:09
Source: South West of England Regional Development Agency
Link: www.southwestrda.org.uk

[full story]

Small business survey shows steady progress

Sector: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Date Created: Thu 5th March 2008,
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk/

The most representative survey of the UK small business sector has revealed that nearly half of those questioned were producing new products and services, the highest level since the survey began in 2003.

[full story]

£400 million for low-carbon Britain - Defra announces 2008/09 budget settlement

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Thu 28th Feb 2008, 11:31:27
Source: Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs
Link: www.defra.gov.uk

UK - Setting out details of Defra's 2008/09 budget settlement, Hilary Benn has announced an increase in funding for clean energy technologies, investments and enterprises to over £400 million over the next three years.

[full story]

Council cash set to smarten-up Acton

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Wed 27th Feb 2008, 13:31:51
Source: Ealing Council
Link: www.ealing.gov.uk
UK - Acton is in line for a £2million package of investment to smarten-up the town thanks to plans unveiled by Ealing Council.

[full story]

Haringey plans for new industrial lease of life
Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Thu 21st Feb 2008, 16:10:32
Source: Haringey Council
Link: www.haringey.gov.uk/

UK - A consultation has been launched on plans to revitalise a former thriving industrial area around the borders of Enfield and Haringey.

[full story]

£2 million healthcare project to benefit the economy

Sector: Health
Date Created: Thu 21st Feb 2008, 15:12:09
Source: Northern Ireland Executive
Link: www.northernireland.gov.uk

UK - Economy Minister Nigel Dodds today announced the creation of a £2million research and development facility at Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry.

[full story]

Changes to encourage more investment in disadvantaged communities announced

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Tue 5th Feb 2008, 15:24:34
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk
UK - New measures to boost the amount of finance raised and channelled into new and expanding businesses in disadvantaged areas have been announced by the government today.

[full story]

Transforming towns and city centres

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Mon 4th Feb 2008, 12:23:35
Source: Scottish Government
Link: www.scotland.gov.uk
UK - Support for projects designed to breathe new life into Scottish town and city centres is to be extended, it was announced.

[full story]

Minister comments on business research figures

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Thu 31st Jan 2008, 12:06:34
Source: The Scottish Government
Link: www.scotland.gov.uk
UK - Changes to the system of grant support will help to boost levels of commercial research and development and improve Scotland's competitveness, Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said.

[full story]

Small businesses handed CGT reprieve

Sector: What the papers say
Date Created: Fri 25th Jan 2008, 11:22:49
Source: The Independent
Link: www.independent.co.uk

UK - Up to 80,000 small business owners have been handed a reprieve from controversial reforms to capital gains tax rules that would otherwise have cost them £200m a year in extra charges.

[full story]

Timms pledges to help SMEs win 2012 work

Sector: Tracker
Date Created: Thu 24th Jan 2008, 13:11:55
Source: Building
Link: www.building.co.uk

UK - Construction minister Stephen Timms will tell small businesses how they can benefit from the Olympic Games.

[full story]

Small businesses urged to get free advice

Sector: Tracker
Date Created: Wed 23rd Jan 2008, 13:48:38
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

UK - Many small businesses may be paying for employment law advice which they could be getting for free, new Government research has revealed.

[full story]

PM holds discussions on enterprise and small businesses

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 16th Jan 2008, 09:16:06
Source: 10 Downing Street
Link: www.number-10.gov.uk

UK - Gordon Brown has held a roundtable discussion with entrepreneurs and small business owners to learn more about enterprise culture in Britain and canvass views on the development of the Government's renewed enterprise framework.

Single point of enquiry for business

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Mon 14th Jan 2008, 08:48:26
Source: Scottish Government
Link: www.scotland.gov.uk

UK - The Scottish Government has introduced a new service to give advice on procurement issues for suppliers to the public sector in Scotland.

Wicks calls for a 'go' green' new year resolution

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Mon 31st Dec 2007, 11:37:30
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

UK - £25 million in grants issued for micro wind turbines and solar panels.

Support for small businesses

Sector: Scotland
Date Created: Mon 3rd Dec 2007, 14:09:23
Source: Small Cap News
Link: www.smallcapnews.co.uk

UK - Innovative business projects have accepted offers worth more than £4.2 million from the Scottish Government in the first six months of the new SMART: SCOTLAND research and development grant scheme.

[full story]

Sector: What the papers say
Date Created: Wed 28th Nov 2007, 10:37:16
Source: The Independent
Link: www.independent.co.uk

UK - Alistair Darling signalled that he might compromise – a little – on changes to capital gains tax announced in his pre-Budget report last month.

Chancellor launches health and safety review

Sector: Tracker
Date Created: Tue 27th Nov 2007, 16:01:45
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

UK - The Chancellor Alistair Darling launched a major review of business health and safety laws.

Hutton gives renewed support to British manufacturing

Sector: Tracker
Date Created: Thu 22nd Nov 2007, 13:53:07
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

UK - Business Secretary John Hutton called on UK manufacturers to respond positively to new opportunities created by emerging markets in the green economy, such as renewable energy and other low-carbon technology.

Renfrewshire welcomes Scottish Government budget

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Fri 16th Nov 2007, 13:38:21
Source: Renfrewshire Council
Link: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

UK - Renfrewshire Council leader Derek Mackay has welcomed the "new opportunities for local councils" presented in the Scottish Government's budget.

New round of Enterprise Capital Funds boosts investment in high growth businesses

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Tue 13th Nov 2007, 14:50:06
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

UK - Three new groups are to be awarded £60 million as part of the Government's efforts to tackle the lack of financial backing available to fledgling businesses.

Government set to save business over £100 million

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Fri 9th Nov 2007, 11:51:00
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

UK - John Hutton Secretary of State for Business brought forward measures to cut red tape and save business millions of pounds in the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill.

The new Scottish Borders campus – opportunities for Borders Businesses

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Wed 24th Oct 2007, 12:09:30
Source: Scottish Borders Council
Link: www.scotborders.gov.uk

UK - Nearly £50 million worth of investment will provide a state of the art ‘hub’ for lifelong learning and training at Netherdale, Galashiels when, in 2009, the new joint Further and Higher Education Campus opens, bringing Borders College and Heriot Watt University together.

New £10 million centre to bring virtual reality technology within reach of small businesses

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Fri 19th Oct 2007, 12:40:06
Source: Welsh Assembly Government
Link: http://new.wales.gov.uk

UK - Aberystwyth University’s new £10.4m Visualisation Centre, which will help businesses turn their ideas into virtual reality, will be formally opened by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones.

Agreement to construct framework for council work

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Tue 16th Oct 2007, 13:56:55
Source: Staffordshire Moorlands Council
Link: http://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk

UK - Companies are being invited to submit expressions of interest to join with an authority which spends millions of pounds on public services construction work.

£30m sweetener for Scottish firms

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 17th Oct 2007, 13:38:10
Source: IC Dumbartonshire
Link: http://icdunbartonshire.icnetwork.co.uk/

UK - Nearly £30 million of government cash has been offered in the last three months to firms planning to expand their operations in Scotland.

Local authorities boost business start-up agency

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Tue 16th Oct 2007, 13:43:55
Source: Cherwell Council
Link: www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk

UK - Oxfordshire Business Enterprises (OBE) is going into partnership with Oxfordshire's local authorities.

Cash to encourage business recycling

Sector: Tracker
Date Created: Thu 11th Oct 2007, 08:59:08
Source: Peterborough Today
Link: www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk

UK - Waste chiefs in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire have been awarded a £213,000 grant to help encourage companies to recycle trade and business waste, Peterborough Today reports.

Council agrees grants and loans to help local businesses

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Thu 11th Oct 2007, 14:40:56
Source: Richmondshire District Council
Link: www.richmondshire.gov.uk

UK - Richmondshire District Council has approved a new scheme of grants and loans for businesses.

£170 million boost for low-carbon energy technology

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 10th Oct 2007, 09:07:45
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gsi.gov.ukk

UK - Government investment in commercialising low-carbon technologies in the UK will top £370 million over the next three years, thanks to the announcement of an extra £170 million for the cross-Government Environmental Transformation Fund (ETF).

Council backs plans to boost small businesses

Sector: Local Government

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Fri 5th Oct 2007, 13:24:46
Source: 24 Dash
Link: www.24dash.com

UK - Kensington and Chelsea councillors are backing a series of retail options to boost commerce in the borough.

Training scheme to boost small businesses in Lambeth

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Thu 4th Oct 2007, 15:24:26
Source: 24 Dash
Link: www.24dash.com

UK - A support and training scheme will help entrepreneurs and residents set up businesses in Lambeth.

Facing the challenges of the Northern Ireland economy

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 3rd Oct 2007, 13:22:06
Source: Northern Ireland Executive
Link: www.northernireland.gov.uk

UK - Economy Minister Nigel Dodds set out his vision for a higher value-added economy that is able to compete effectively within a globalised workforce.

Minister seeks views of local leaders on Government's new legislative programme

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Wed 3rd Oct 2007, 13:42:47
Source: Cabinet Office
Link: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/

UK - East Midlands Minister Gillian Merron was in Nottingham for unprecedented discussions with heads of business, community leaders and local policy makers from across the region as part of the Government's new approach to its upcoming legislative programme.

New measures to help small firms from FSA

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Tue 2nd Oct 2007, 13:28:47
Source: The Financial Services Authority
Link: www.fsa.gov.uk

UK - The Financial Services Authority (FSA) announced it is introducing new measures to increase its contact with small firms. The aim is to help firms make faster progress in meeting the FSA's Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) initiative and to identify, more quickly, those firms most in need of regulatory attention.

Hutton: enterprise and growth crucial to the UK's continued success

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Thu 20th Sep 2007, 12:15:53
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: www.berr.gov.uk

UK - Chancellor Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Business John Hutton and Competitiveness Minister Stephen Timms, will ask 20 of the UK's most successful business owners what Government can do to further growth among Britain's businesses.

Investment on the agenda for East Midlands companies

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Mon 17th Sep 2007, 16:20:29
Source: East Midlands Development Agency
Link: www.emda.org.uk

UK - A new scheme has been launched in the East Midlands aimed at helping entrepreneurs raise finance to help their businesses grow.

Health Minister announces £10 million to improve health at work

Sector: Health
Date Created: Thu 6th Sep 2007, 12:43:25
Source: Department of Health
Link: www.dh.gov.uk

UK - Health minister Ivan Lewis announced £10 million of capital funding to finance new NHS Plus demonstration sites to improve the occupational healthcare services offered to small and medium sized businesses.

Cash Windfall for Businesses

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Thu 6th Sep 2007, 13:46:48
Source: Ashford Council
Link: www.ashford.gov.uk

UK - Ashford businesses looking to expand could be in line for a cash windfall from the Government.

Grants up for grabs for new or improving retail businesses

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Tue 4th Sep 2007, 14:58:52
Source: South Somerset Council
Link: www.southsomerset.gov.uk

UK - Retail businesses owners will be pleased to hear about the retail support grants being offered by South Somerset District Council's Area East team.

Bexley launches SME food waste recycling service

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Tue 4th Sep 2007, 15:12:11
Source: Lets Recycle
Link: www.letsrecycle.com

UK - A food waste collection service for small and medium-sized businesses has been launched in Bexley, following the success of a six-month trial.

EMDA funding helps more firms invest in R&D

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Fri 31st Aug 2007, 11:25:00
Source: East Midlands Development Agency
Link: http://www.emda.org.uk

UK - Figures recently published by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) show that East Midlands Development Agency (emda) made offers totalling £5.08 million to 61 companies from across the East Midlands under the Grant for Research and Development (GRD) scheme over 2006-07. This is a 70% increase on the previous year, highlighting emda’s continued commitment to helping businesses invest in the development of new products or processes to improve their overall commercial performance.

Business group hails rise in small companies

Sector: What the papers say
Date Created: Thu 23rd Aug 2007, 14:06:03
Source: Financial Times
Link: www.FT.com

UK - The number of small businesses has risen by almost 1m since 1994, providing work for an extra 1.5m people, according to official figures published.

BERR - Statistical press release

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 22nd Aug 2007, 13:18:30
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: http://stats.berr.gov.uk

UK - The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, has published Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Statistics for the UK 2006.

BERR - Statistical press release

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Wed 22nd Aug 2007, 13:18:30
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: http://stats.berr.gov.uk

UK - The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, has published Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Statistics for the UK 2006.

SMEs report high demand

Sector: Industry
Date Created: Wed 15th Aug 2007, 15:16:21
Source: Connecting Industry
Link: www.connectingindustry.com

UK - Small and medium-sized manufacturers have reported the highest rate of growth in domestic orders since 1997, and continue to enjoy firm demand overall, according to the CBI's latest quarterly SME survey.

Boost for small businesses

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Tue 17th Jul 2007, 12:54:02
Source: Ellesmere port and Neston Borough Council
Link: www.ellesmereport-neston.gov.uk

UK - Small businesses in Ellesmere Port and Neston are the most successful in the county at claiming their rate relief.

UK economy boosted by Government small business service

Sector: Central Government
Date Created: Tue 10th Jul 2007, 12:34:36
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: http://www.dti.gov.uk

UK - Small firms using the Government's Business Link service grow their businesses, increase their employee numbers and add £750 million to the economy each year, a report published shows.

New Technology Strategy Board - Making the future happen

Date Created: Tue 3rd Jul 2007
Source: Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Link: http://www.dti.gov.uk/

Drinkable vaccines to replace painful needles, car bodies which biodegrade at the end of their lives, anti-cancer agents drawn from the sea, greener biofuels and pacemakers with batteries powered by walking are just around the corner.
[full story]

UK wins record number of inward investments

Date Created: Tue 3rd Jul 2007
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: http://www.ukinvest.gov.uk/

The UK won a record 1,431 investment projects from overseas companies in 2006/7, according to figures published by UK Trade & Investment. This 17 per cent increase demonstrates that the UK's proposition - with its business friendly environment, political and economic stability, world-class creative talent, and strong research and development base - continues to act as a powerful magnet for foreign investors.
[full story]

Department for business, enterprise and regulatory reform established

Date Created: Fri 29th Jun 2007
Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link: http://www.dti.gov.uk

UK - John Hutton, the new Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, welcomed the creation of a department to equip Britain to seize new opportunities in the changing global economy.
[full story]

Machinery of Government Changes

Date Created: Thu 28th Jun 2007
Source: GNN
Link: http://www.gnn.gov.uk

A number of additional Machinery of Government changes have been made. Departments will implement these changes with immediate effect.
[full story]

Members of the Board appointed for the new Technology Strategy Board

Date Created: Mon 25th Jun 2007
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
Link: http://www.dti.gov.uk

Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling announced the appointment of eleven board members for the new Technology Strategy Board. The Technology Strategy Board, currently a DTI advisory body, will become operational as an executive non-departmental public body from 1 July 2007.
[full story]

Easier access to business advice for small firms

Date Created: Thu 21st Jun 2007
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
Link: http://www.dti.gov.uk

Radically simplifying the number of business support schemes from 3000-plus to well under 100 is at the centre of new proposals to help small business announced by Small Business Minister Margaret Hodge.
[full story]

New ethnic minority business task force launched by DTI

Date Created: Tue 19th Jun 2007
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
Link: http://www.dti.gov.uk

A new Ethnic Minority Business Task Force will help foster growth among black and minority ethnic (BME) firms and boost economic participation by BME entrepreneurs, Small Business Minister Margaret Hodge announced.
[full story]

Rate reform boost for small businesses and town centres

Date Created: Fri 11th May 2007, 12:29:19
Source: Communities and Local Government
Link: http://www.communities.gov.uk/

UK - Local Government Minister Phil Woolas has (11 May) published new legislation aimed at encouraging empty shops, offices, factory and warehouse buildings back into commercial use as part of a package to create thriving urban centres, renovate empty buildings and promote greater use of brownfield land.
[full story]

Minister announces new approach to engaging small business

Date Created: 2007-05-01 13:00:05
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
Link: www.dti.gov.uk

Small business owners and the UK's main business representative organisations will meet today for the first of a new series of round table meetings to discuss key issues facing the UK's 4.3 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
[full story]

The search is on to find the next Enterprise Champions

Date Created: 2007-03-01 13:00:05
Source: Small Business Service
Link: http://www.sbs.gov.uk

The search is on to find the UK's enterprise champions, with the launch of the DTI's Enterprising Britain 2007 competition.
[full story]

Margaret Hodge announces Companies Act Implementation timetable

Date Created: 2007-03-01 13:00:05
Source: Small Business Service
Link: http://www.sbs.gov.uk

The full implementation timetable for the Companies Act 2006 was announced today by Industry and Regions Minister Margaret Hodge. All of the Act will be in place by October 2008 with many elements implemented earlier. [full story]

Council pledges to be small business friendly

Date Created: Fri 22nd Sep 2006, 09:53:01
Source: Basingstoke and Deane Council
Link: http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk

UK - A new small business friendly concordat, aimed at encouraging small local businesses to work with the council has been developed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. [full story (Basingstoke and Deane)]

Greater rewards for local authorities that promote business growth

Date Created: Thu 14th Sep 2006, 14:21:39
Source: Department for Communities and Local Government
Link: http://www.communities.gov.uk

UK - Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and John Healey, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, announced that local authorities will stand to receive greater rewards for promoting local business growth. [full story]

BCC and AIG Europe (UK) Limited join forces to stop unnecessary business failure

Date Created: Fri 8th Sep 2006, 12:18:11
Source: Chamber Online
Link: http://www.chamberonline.co.uk

UK - BCC has announced an alliance with AIG Europe (UK) Limited to provide SMEs with tailored insurance solutions and advice on business risk management. [full story (BCC)]

Reduced burdens streamline access to Small Business Rate Relief

Date Created: Mon 4th Sep 2006, 15:21:35
Source: Department for Communities and Local Government
Link: http://www.communities.gov.uk

UK - A government commitment to reduce the burden of form filling associated with applying for small business rate relief has been made good. In an Order laid before Parliament, Local Government Minister Phil Woolas confirmed that businesses whose circumstances do not change will only need to apply once, for a period of up to five years, for small business rate relief. Previously, small businesses were required to apply every year.

The announcement follows consultation on streamlining the arrangements for applying for small business rate relief. [full story (Communities)]

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Statistics 2005

Date Created: Thu 31st Aug 2006, 11:22:56
Source: Small Business Service
Link: http://www.sbs.gov.uk

UK - The Small Business Service (SBS), an executive agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, today published Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Statistics for the UK 2005.

There were an estimated 4.3 million business enterprises in the UK at the start of 2005, an increase of 59,000 (1.4 per cent) on the start of 2004. This estimate, and figures in this release, comprises the private sector (including public corporations and nationalised bodies) and therefore excludes Government and non-profit organisations. [full story (SBS)]

Council support for small businesses

Date Created: Wed 30th Aug 2006, 10:18:44
Source: Canterbury City Council
Link: http://www.canterbury.gov.uk

UK - Canterbury City Council has shown its commitment to small businesses by signing up to the national small business-friendly concordat.

Small businesses offer a number of benefits. They respond quickly and flexibly to customer needs, are a source of innovations and ideas, offer cash savings, improved quality and effectiveness, and are frequently close at hand. [full story (Canterbury)]

New formula can show SMEs how IT can improve their bottom line

Date Created: Mon 28th Aug 2006, 10:59:27
Source: British Telecom
Link: http://www.bt.com

UK - SMEs can now rate their use of technology and communications so that they can achieve the maximum value from their investment by using a formula developed by leading psychologist and Cardiff and Birmingham University lecturer, Dr Cliff Arnall.

The formula, commissioned by BT Business, identifies the key factors that enable a small business and its employees to thrive. It is available online at www.bt.com/business/workitwell so that companies can calculate their own score. [full story (BT)]

Council seeks boost for businesses

Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Thu 24th Aug 2006, 13:29:50
Source: Medway Council
Link: http://www.medway.gov.uk

UK - Business investment in Medway could receive a huge boost if the council is successful in its efforts for the area to be awarded Assisted Area Status by the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI).

Achieving Assisted Area Status (AAS) would entitle local companies to apply for grant assistance from Government for future investment projects that would both protect existing jobs and create new jobs. This support would also be available to encourage new companies to move into the area, increasing inward investment. [full story (Medway)]