The Government is
launching a new portfolio of products today to help businesses and
support growth in the economy.
The new Solutions for Business (SfB) package is simpler, making
it easier to understand and accessible to companies.
There are 13 products designed to help businesses identify and
overcome key challenges as they grow and develop. It will target
activities where a Government lead is required, such as providing
access to strategic advice, helping companies reach international
markets and supporting innovation.
Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk will announce the 13
products at a North West Business Reception in Manchester today.
Mr Prisk said:
“The new Solutions for Business portfolio has been designed to
give businesses the help they need to expand and grow.
“We are moving away from centralised advice and focusing on
targeted programmes. This streamlining is firmly based on
developing those services which work, and which private providers
do not offer. Securing economic growth is our central task and
this step is part of our broad programme to free enterprise and
help small firms prosper.”
The previous Solutions for Business portfolio contained 32
products, designed to help businesses at different stages of their
development. The new portfolio is focussed on growth and targets
only those areas where a Government lead is required.
The 13 products in the portfolio are:
• High Growth Coaching
• Helping Your Business Grow Internationally
• Manufacturing Advisory Service
• Designing Demand
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
• Networking for Innovation
• Collaborative Research and Development
• Grant for Research and Development
• Work Place Training, including Apprenticeships
• Improving Your Resource Efficiency
• Finance for Business
• Understanding Finance for Business
• Rural Development Programme for England Business Support
The Solutions for Business portfolio is part of a wider package
of measures that Government is delivering to support business
growth.
A new framework for business improvement was recently launched to
give small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs the help they
need to start and grow. The Government is improving how
information is provided to businesses and a new mentoring network
will be launched in June, which will give entrepreneurs and
business people access to help from real business people.
Online business information is also being overhauled, bringing
all the tools that people need into the new
www.businesslink.gov.uk website.
Notes to editors:
Further details of the Solutions for Business portfolio and the
specific products can be found at:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/enterprise-and-business-support/solutions-for-business-simplified-business-support
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