26th September 2008
Local authorities are to trial the Government's new scheme to help reduce red tape for UK businesses.
The Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP), to be introduced in 2010, aims to 'streamline' over 3,000 publicly-funded schemes, grants, subsidies and advice into just 100.
As part of changes to the business regulation system, Business Link will become the primary source of information for firms seeking advice and support.
"Businesses need grass-roots support that is easy to understand and easy to access," said Business Minister Shriti Vadera, introducing the trial. "This is what business tells us they want, and we will deliver it."
The initiative comes in response to widespread calls from business groups to reduce the bureaucratic burden on small companies.
The Forum of Private Business, which has previously criticised aspects of the new programme, said it welcomed any changes that made the system more user-friendly for small businesses.
However, spokesman Phil McCabe told More Than Business News that "less services must mean that they are more efficient and not mean that the overall level of service is reduced".
The newly-packaged trial support services will begin to come on-stream from next month, with all in place by March 2009. The seven local authorities taking part in the trial are Croydon Council, Newham Council, Cornwall Country Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Tees Valley Group of Councils and the Thames Gateway Kent Partnership.
Trial for 'streamlined' government business support
The Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP), to be introduced in 2010, aims to 'streamline' over 3,000 publicly-funded schemes, grants, subsidies and advice into just 100.
As part of changes to the business regulation system, Business Link will become the primary source of information for firms seeking advice and support.
"Businesses need grass-roots support that is easy to understand and easy to access," said Business Minister Shriti Vadera, introducing the trial. "This is what business tells us they want, and we will deliver it."
The initiative comes in response to widespread calls from business groups to reduce the bureaucratic burden on small companies.
The Forum of Private Business, which has previously criticised aspects of the new programme, said it welcomed any changes that made the system more user-friendly for small businesses.
However, spokesman Phil McCabe told More Than Business News that "less services must mean that they are more efficient and not mean that the overall level of service is reduced".
The newly-packaged trial support services will begin to come on-stream from next month, with all in place by March 2009. The seven local authorities taking part in the trial are Croydon Council, Newham Council, Cornwall Country Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Tees Valley Group of Councils and the Thames Gateway Kent Partnership.
Tags: Regulations
- 5th January 2009 Businesses urged to make redundancies 'last resort'
- 5th January 2009 'Cut interest rate to 1%' says business group
- 2nd January 2009 Gloomier forecast from business group
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon