DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2007/011)
issued by The Government News Network on 10 July 2007
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 today shows.
The study of more than 3,000 small businesses showed that those
who used Business Link had greater job growth than those that did
not use the service.
The study* found that for every £1 spent in government funding,
Business Link achieved £2.26 of additional value to the economy
as a result of better business performance.
Unveiling the report, new minister for small business, Stephen
Timms said:
"Small and medium enterprises account for a large portion of
the UK economy. This report shows the Business Link service is
being used by many of them for help and support, boosting the
economy as a whole."
"We will continue to grow the Business Link service, making
it the definitive place for small businesses to find support."
The research also showed that using Business Link helped businesses:
* Run successful staff training programmes
* Develop business
plans
* Develop marketing strategies
Business Link is the first port of call for anyone looking to
start, develop and grow a business. It is a key part of the
Government's campaign to promote enterprise and make the UK
the best place in the world to start and grow a business.
Notes to Editors
1. The Survey
*The Early Stage evaluation of the Economic
impact of business link Local Services is published today on the
BERR website in the Small Business, Research and Stats section:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/bbf/small-business/research-and-statistics/index.html
2. The evaluation was carried out by a team of economists from
Warwick, Kingston and Aston University Business Schools.
3. They carried out in-depth interviews with businesses and
Business Link staff, and a telephone survey1 of just over 3,000
businesses - 2,000 that had received assistance from Business Link
and 1,000 similar businesses that had not used Business Link, to
act as a comparison group. The impacts identified by the
evaluation are therefore over and above what would have been
achieved by businesses without support.
4. The Economic Impact Study of Business Link Local Services was
carried out by a team of economists at Warwick, Aston and Kingston
University Business Schools. It surveyed businesses that used the
Business Link local service and compared their performance to
those that did not.
5. Business Link
Business Link is the primary access channel
for anyone looking to start, develop and grow a business. It
provides fast-track customers to the expert help they need.
6. Business Link is available locally and quality assured
regionally to clear national standards.
7. Local Business Link services are managed by the Regional
Development Agencies (RDAs) operating within a nationally agreed
framework. This devolved management responsibility ensures that a
nationally recognised brand is integrated with regional and local
needs, whilst retaining a nationally consistent look and feel.
1 The administration of the survey was sub-contracted to OMB Research
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform
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