DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2008/209)
issued by COI News Distribution Service. 24 September 2008
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.
The Government is streamlining over 3000 publicly-funded schemes
- including grants, subsidies and advice - into one national
portfolio of up to 100 that will support businesses with greater
impact. This will reduce duplication while making it easier for
businesses to get the support they need.
The seven local authorities will trial different aspects of
programme delivery, some with their local Business Link.
Business Minister Shriti Vadera said:
"Businesses need grass-roots support that is easy to
understand and easy to access. This is what business tells us they
want, and we will deliver it.
"We are working closely with local authorities, RDAs and
Business Link providers to ensure businesses experience a seamless transition."
Chair of the BSSP Transition Management Board Martin Temple said:
"Local authorities can have a real impact on communities
through helping businesses grow. Their assistance in making sure
BSSP delivers for business, now and it the future, is welcome."
Notes to editors:
1. The Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP) was
announced during the Budget 2006 to reduce the number of publicly
funded business support schemes from over 3,000 to less than 100
by 2010. Businesses will be able to access a new, streamlined,
portfolio of products from October, with all products in place by
March 2009.
2. The Local Authorities participating in the trial are: Croydon
Council, Newham Council, Cornwall Country Council, Lincolnshire
County Council, Nottingham City Council, Tees Valley Group of
Councils and the Thames Gateway Kent Partnership.
3. Topics to be trialled include, the fit with existing local
authority funding, how to reach disadvantaged communities and how
best to meet the needs of specific business groups such as
creative, ethnic minority, women and young entrepreneurs.
4. Martin Temple is the Independent Chair of the Transition
Management Board, which has responsibility for overseeing the
implementation of the BSSP.
5. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
helps UK business succeed in an increasingly competitive world.
It promotes business growth and a strong enterprise economy, leads
the better regulation agenda and champions free and fair markets.
It is the shareholder in a number of Government-owned assets and
it works to secure, clean and competitively priced energy supplies.