DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 5 January 2009
Employment and
skills will be top of the agenda when the Prime Minister meets
leading business and regional figures at the Regional Economic
Council today (Monday 5th January).
The Council's second meeting will bring senior members of
the government together with business, union and regional
representatives to discuss regional economies.
The Department for Business also announced today that more than
10,000 businesses across the UK have already taken the opportunity
of free Business Health Checks launched in October last year.
Each check, provided by the government's Business Link
service, ensures that firms maximise their cash flow, marketing
and business planning in the current economic climate.
Chancellor Alistair Darling said:
"In these tough economic times, our priority must be to
reduce the impact of the slow-down on the whole of the UK and we
are committed to continued investment to deliver for families and
businesses across the country.
"Today's meeting is a welcome opportunity to discuss
with employers, development agencies, local authorities and unions
what more the Government can do help people and businesses."
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:
"It is vital that we listen to businesses and support them
through these difficult times.
"Everyone across central and local government needs to work
together to make sure we take effective action to support workers
and businesses.
"I hope businesses take advantage of the free help and
advice on offer from a Business Health Check. We want to ensure
firms get the support they need to plan for the times ahead and
come out stronger on the other side."
Notes to Editors
1. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Chancellor Alistair Darling,
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for
Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham, regional
ministers and other government figures will attend the meeting.
2. The Regional Economic Council first met in November 2008.
3. Today's call for businesses to undergo a check is part of
a range of initiatives to help businesses - including the £1bn
loan guarantee scheme, a separate £1bn loan guarantee scheme for
exporters, a £50m fund to convert debt into equity, and action to
encourage speedy payment of bills in both the public and private sectors.
4. Business Health Checks provide firms with qualified Business
Link experts to help draw-up tailor made action plans designed to
shore up their businesses and avoid the potential pitfalls of the
economic downturn. Business Link also provides a follow up
monitoring service to ensure that their plan is working for them.