Marcus Jones has welcomed the announcement from Government that will see support for small businesses increased. In a document called “Bigger, better business: Helping small firms start, grow and prosper” a series of measures have been identified to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to succeed.
The changes will help existing SMEs and start up companies, with a particular emphasis on encouraging the unemployed to go into business. Some of the measures include the creation of online business information and tools tailored to each business’ needs, a national contact centre will also be established to help businesses who cannot find the information they need on the internet and for those who are not online.
Other initiatives include a network of at least 40,000 experienced business mentors offering practical advice as well as business coaching to back high growth SMEs, to enable them to reach their potential. Additionally, the new Enterprise Allowance Scheme will be expanded to support the creation of up to 40,000 new businesses by 2013. The scheme will provide unemployed people with access to the advice and support they need to start their own business. It will be available to people who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for more than six months and will provide access to a business mentor who provides guidance and support as the person develops their business idea and then through the early stages of trading, together with a weekly allowance and support to access small loans of up to £1,000 to help with start-up costs and is ready to register as self-employed which is a package of support worth up to around £2000 per business.
Commenting on the announcement, local MP Marcus Jones, who recently became ‘Keep Trade Local Ambassador’ for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Whilst over 6 million adults in England live in social housing, fewer than 20,000 of them run a home-based business, which is where many small business start their journey.
“There are barriers to Housing Association and Council tenants starting a business from home so I am pleased that the Government is working with landlords to remove red tape and encourage more tenants to start up in business. The series of positive measures outlined by the Government should provide potential business-owners with practical and helpful support. Starting a business needn’t be as daunting as facing the Dragon’s Den, so I’d certainly encourage people to find out more and explore their options.”
More information can be found online by visiting www.bis.gov.uk.