New Business Support Simplification programme

[Lena]

Hi All,

I was wondering what do you think about new business support simplification programme which is launched by the Goverment?
What implications it would have on small businesses and particularly on businesss suport providers?
It all sound good on paper but...would it work? I am particularly concerned with the Business Link be a focal point for accessing the business support...
All opinions are welcome!

[profitxchange]

This is long overdue. However, I would guess that the agenda behind it now is to enable the govt to cut its spending rather than provide better support.

There has been a lot of criticism that Bus support is fragmented, poorly promoted and difficult to access. Dead right. In london there are over 200 independent business support agencies living off Govt/eu funding. They consume the best part of £100M. Each has its own overhead etc which takes money away from front line delivery.

As part of the previous re--invention of BL in London it was charged with creating a more cohesive support network. But is was not given any teeth to rein in the "200 cats" and inevitably failed.

Unless the govt really gives this initiative teeth and is willing to deal with a lot flack and put a lot of people out of work - it will just be yet another load of hot air.

Its a pitty that business will be the only looser.