Minister unveils plan for small business success

The Annual Business Plan for the Small Business Service (SBS) launched by Small Business Minister positions the Government-sponsored body as an influencer and centre of expertise on small business issues at the heart of the Government's drive to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business.

The plan sets out how the SBS will be placed to lead the rest of Government in delivering the seven strategies for small business announced in last year's policy framework - 'Small Business and Government - the Way Forward'.

Actions and targets for the SBS in the plan include:

• Driving up the market penetration of the Business Link network and customer satisfaction with the services provided - last year over 300,000 firms and individuals were helped by Business Link.
  
• A cross-Government action plan to improve the regulatory environment for small businesses for publication this year.
  
• A major project to bring together all government services online for small businesses through a single web portal.
  
• New ways to ensure that small businesses have access to the finance they need.
  
• Securing 100 per cent take-up of a "small firms impact test" across Whitehall. This will bring the voice and views of small businesses to the forefront during policy making.
  Promotion of the 'No-Nonsense Guide to Government rules and regulations for setting up your business'
  
• Regional 'Enterprise Shows' bringing together government and the private sector to help people wanting to start a business.

Launching the plan, Small Business Minister Nigel Griffiths said: "This plan sets out what we'll do to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business. We're setting targets to gauge our success and will set out a leadership role for the SBS as a centre of expertise and an engine for change on small business issues within government."

SBS Chief Executive, Martin Wyn Griffith added: "Small firms make up 99 per cent of Britain's business community. The plan shows how we will focus our work on areas where Government can make a real difference, helping them improve their business performance, and driving up the UK's productivity and competitiveness."

Championing small business

The SBS, which operates under the strapline 'Championing the interests of small businesses', claims its vision is that the UK will be the best place to set up and run a business to operate by 2005 and one of its aims is to help small businesses realise their potential by minimising the burden of regulation. The SBS's Strategy Board is chaired by the Small Business Minister, Nigel Griffiths and includes officials from the DTI and the Treasury as well as three independent representatives.