At the Government’s National Manufacturing Summit being held at the Bristol & Bath Science Park today, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is set to announce that the government has provided an extra £1 billion for businesses seeking support to help them create new jobs and grow.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Signs of economic confidence returning as marketing spend increases
A leading UK entrepreneur said today that the predicted increased marketing spend for 2012 was evidence of the ‘first shoots of the economic revival’.
Difficult retail market needs innovative solutions to help it recover
2011 saw big high street chains close an average of 14 stores a day across Britain. In this difficult retail market entrepreneurs are being encouraged to take advantage of a government-backed scheme which offers market stalls for £10 over a fortnight this summer.
CBI calls on Chancellor to use budget to score growth & investment policy goals
The CBI calls on the Chancellor to use his March Budget to score the growth and investment policy goals he put forward in his Autumn Statement and give the UK economy and jobs a real boost.
Dragons’ Den conman admits defrauding Theo Paphitis & Peter Jones with bogus investment opportunity
Jean-Claude Baumgartner, who bagged a £230,000 investment on Dragons’ Den for his Satski business, has been jailed after pleading guilty to defrauding his famous investors.
Quotas the “only way to increase number of women in boardrooms” say women’s business networks
Compulsory quotas for women in the boardroom are a key way forward, according to a new poll of influential women’s business networks, carried out by leadership consultancy, White Water Group.
New lenders join Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme
The government has announced that four new lenders have been accredited to offer loans to small businesses under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme.
Free training launched to boost business mentors
An innovative online training tool has been launched to help get thousands of experienced business people mentoring small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
Business insolvencies rise due to lack of access to funding say Bibby Factors
The Insolvency Service has released the latest figures for company insolvencies in England and Wales for the fourth quarter of 2011, which shows there were 4,260 in total – an increase of 7.2 per cent on the same period a year ago.
Cameron: New funding available for SMEs to help ambitious young people
Prime Minister David Cameron announces new round of Government funding to support thousands of apprenticeships up to degree equivalent making available a £1,500 apprenticeship incentive for small firms to take on youngsters eager to learn.
Cable launches biggest ever Apprenticeship Week
Business Secretary Vince Cable has launched the fifth annual Apprenticeship Week, and it is set to be the biggest they with over 500 events across the country celebrating the countless achievements of learners and employers.
New intensive business coaching programme announced
A new programme that will provide dedicated and structured coaching support for up to 10,000 high growth potential businesses a year has taken another step forward as The Coaching for Growth Consortium has signed a contract to deliver the programme, which is scheduled to be fully operational by March 2012.
Government slammed for helping start-ups & not struggling SMEs
New data out today on business insolvency claims that SMEs have seen a reduction in sales volumes and also experienced decreased profits compared to big businesses and many are calling for urgent government assistance to help businesses survive, not just to start.
Start-up calendar unlocks enterprise opportunities throughout 2012
A new comprehensive and interactive calendar of key enterprise, entrepreneur and SME events throughout 2012 has been unveiled by Business Minister Mark Prisk.
LinkedIn partners with Number 10 to banish business bureaucracy
LinkedIn has announced its support of the Government initiative to promote new enterprise in the UK by reducing the burden of regulation with the creation of a “Red Tape Challenge” LinkedIn Group enabling UK businesses to connect and participate in the discussion about regulations that are holding back innovative new businesses.