Small Business Council Leads Help To Grow

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The government says it has refreshed its Help to Grow campaign which aims to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ of support and advice for small firms. The move comes as the Small Business Council is to be formed to support SMEs across the UK.

The Small Business Council will open its doors in March 2024 on the premise it will bring together SME leaders from the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses. It will create a forum for small businesses to have their voices represented within government.

Year of the SME

Almost every business in the country is a small business (99.9%) who in turn support 27 million jobs across the UK, accounting for £4.5 trillion of annual turnover – which is why the government is making 2024 the year of the SME.

Help to grow

The Help to Grow campaign and website has also been refreshed to provide information firms need to grow and scale up. This will include helping small firms to clearly identify what funding they can access. There will also be advice on setting up a new business.

The new site will bring together the support on offer from the government into one place, making it quicker and more convenient to find the resources business leaders and budding entrepreneurs need to succeed, it is claimed.

Business training

This support includes continued investment in the Help to Grow: Management Course which is an intensive 12-week programme to improve SME leadership and management skills. SMEs from all sectors are able to access the programme that is 90% subsidised by government. This has already supported nearly 8,000 businesses, with the ambition to support up to 30,000 over the programme’s lifetime. 

A Help to Grow: Management Essentials course will launch in April 2024. It will be particularly relevant for micro businesses and people who feel they are not yet ready to embark on the full Help to Grow: Management Course leadership course, and those wanting a quick refresher of key business concepts.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch says: “This new council will mean SMEs have a clear voice at the table and we can deliver on the key needs for business. We are taking action to ensure that they have the support, tools and guidance they need to thrive – because when small businesses succeed, the UK succeeds.”

Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake says: “I know firsthand how important small businesses are and I also understand some of the barriers they face to start up or grow their existing firm. Which is why I’m proud of the work we’re doing as government to really tackle some of the burning issues SMEs face on a daily basis – only then can we help boost jobs and grow the economy.”

Late payment

Hollinrake adds: The government is also tackling a key issue affecting small firms – late payments. I launched the Prompt Payment and Cash Flow Review in 2023. Since the report was unveiled, we are looking at how to prosecute large firms who persistently and knowingly fail to adhere to the Payment Practice Reporting regulations.”

Picture: Kevin Hollinrake was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business and Trade on 7 February 2023.

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
15th February 2024

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