The focus of the government’s business support schemes needs to be on small firms rather than larger companies, a new study has claimed. The survey, carried out by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), found that almost half of those firms (49 per cent) that responded believed that support programmes should be targeted more at smaller businesses and less at big businesses. Over half (53 per cent) thought that the bias towards larger firms in government services should be removed altogether. A support service independently tailored to meet the needs of the small business sector got the vote of half of respondents. The government is in the process of reducing the number of its business support programmes from 3,000 to about 100 in order to make them simpler and quicker to access. The FSB said it approved any measures that will rid the present system of its complexity and help small firms find the service that is right for them. One of the problems highlighted by the survey is the lack of appropriate branding on many government services. As a result, some 47 per cent of small businesses claimed that they were unaware of government-funded schemes that might apply to them. Colin Willman, the FSB’s business support chairman, commented: “It is quite clear that small businesses feel disaffected and alienated from the majority of government business services, which, when they are aware of them, they see as being geared towards big business.” Mr Willman added: “No doubt the rationalisation of business support services from 3,000 to 100 will help, but only if there is an emphasis on marketing these in a much clearer manner. The government needs to offer greater acknowledgement to small businesses and the specific challenges they face. This applies equally to those at start-up level, supporting those who wish to remain steady, and those looking for growth.” Date:14 September 2007
Content by: Made Simple Group
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