Government doesn't do e-nough for SMEs

Nearly half the UK's small businesses believe the government is not doing enough to encourage them to buy and sell online, according to a recent Mori survey.

The results will come as a disappointment to the Government who have recently tried to place e-commerce at the top of their business agenda with a series of high-profile announcements.

Additionally, one in four SMEs blamed the lack of Government support as a main barrier to trading online and only seven per cent thought that the Government was "a driver" in enabling their organisations to buy and sell over the net. One in six SMEs did not believe that they would save costs by selling online.

Although the findings will be a major disappointment for the Government, Mori did point out that the questions were asked before the Chancellor's 'e-Budget'.

The research was commissioned by Oxford-based on-line procurement company, Mondus and involved questioning 401 SME owners or managing directors.