The issue of regulation and its adverse impacts upon small businesses has been noted by several organisations (Better Regulation Task Force, 1999, 2000a, 2000b, 2001; Small Business Council 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004; Small Business Service, 2004a). The recent ICAEW report on the 2004 Enterprise Survey...

The review shows that there are many different models of support to small business - different countries make different choices. The review developed a scale that outlines 26 different choices for policymakers in their design of programmes for business advice. It is important that these choices...

The government’s main objective in developing better regulation and policy is to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses, particularly those which act as a barrier to start-up and growth, and improve the ability of small businesses to sell to the public sector.The purpose of this...

The Small Business Service commissioned BMRB Social Research to conduct a qualitative study to explore the small business experience of interacting with government services. The research is designed to map the channels of information and support used by small businesses, to explore their...

The Small Business Service (SBS) defines small businesses’ experience of government services as any interaction they may experience with government, including tax and regulatory transactions and guidance, business support, selling to government, and consultations. The government’s main...

Within the sample of the three departments (DTI, OGC and HMT):Small businesses account for 71% of suppliers and 30% of spending. They facegreater obstacles in supplying government than medium and large companies, andhave fewer resources to be able to overcome these obstacles.Women-owned...

The government’s main objective in improving the access to finance for small businesses is to reduce the number of small businesses encountering access to finance as a barrier to growth.The purpose of this section is twofold:• To provide an overview of the evidence to explain why the...

The main objective in encouraging a more dynamic start-up market is to boost productivity and economic growth by strengthening business support networks and creating an environment that encourages and supports entrepreneurial activity.The benefits of dynamic start-up market extend beyond the...

The government’s objective under this strategic theme is to improve the growth capability of small businesses by helping businesses to raise performance across key areas, particularly innovation, management skills and the adoption of best practice.The purpose of this section is twofold:• To...

In February 2002, the Small Business Service (SBS) commissioned LeedsMetropolitan University (LMU) to conduct a review of the contribution ofgraduates to small business success. The project stems from a risingconcern amongst policy makers that after years of experimentation instimulating...