helping small firms to start, grow and prosper
May 2011
Welcome to the second edition of our newsletter about changes to the way the Government provides support to people who want to start and grow a business.
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Improving online access to Government guidance, support, advice and transactions
In the April
edition of the newsletter we set out our plans for a radical overhaul of the Business Link website so that it provided more services to people starting and running a business which were presented in a way that suited them.
Since then we have launched the online incorporation service that will make it easier to complete the legal formalities for starting a business, by allowing people to set up online a standard company, limited by shares, with model articles for the statutory fee of £18. Since its launch last month, over 2,000 companies have been started using the service, with the process only taking a few hours from entering the details to receipt of the certificate of incorporation.
But we are also looking further into the future and how we can make public services easier to use. As a first step along this road, the new Government Digital Service has produced an early prototype of a potential single government web domain where you can find information for both citizens and businesses. It is very much an “alpha” version - a working demonstration of parts (and only parts) of what might be provided.
This alpha site is not intended to instantly replace Direct.gov, Businesslink.gov or any other government websites. Instead, it is a demonstration of what a single domain could look and feel like and what it could offer .
The test site can be found at alpha.gov.uk . Real user feedback is a significant part of the process by which we constantly work to improve our approach. The Government Digital Service would welcome your feedback on the new site which can be emailed to feedback@alphagov.co.uk. We’d like to hear your feedback too so please copy it to businessimprovement@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Tom Loosemore from the Government Digital Service is taking part in a Guardian Podcast – you can hear this here.
The Government has also launched a campaign to recruit 100,000 volunteers to help get more people online. More information about this can be foundhere.
Find opportunities to do business with Government
A new free service is available, helping businesses to find opportunities to win contracts with government. Contracts Finder is now the main source of government procurement opportunities with a value of over £10,000.
Support for companies with the potential to achieve high growth
We recently asked for expressions of interest in contracting Business Coaching for Growth services – so far we have had a very strong response, and we spoke to interested parties at our open event on 10th May.
The closing date for the submission of any queries or clarifications from potential suppliers will be 23rd May. All expressions of interest and completed Pre Qualification Questionnaires will need to be submitted by 3rd June.
Supporting people who want to start a business
In October 2011 improvements are being made to the Business Link website to enhance the support offered to new start up businesses and those thinking of starting a new business or working for themselves. This support is the first place to get the help you will need to be more confident and organised during these important early stages.
The new features include:· Bite-sized, confidence building, e-learning tutorials and start up video case studies; a new memorable place to enable you to filter and organise the things you must do and the things you need to do, which you can personalise to your situation; links to the many helpful start up tools and Government services such as; Company Incorporation Online, HMRC Tax registration wizard and Tax dashboard.
In the meantime this brief selection of links will get you started now;
Starting a business: the basics; What to do when starting a business, including advice on business plans, financial and legal requirements.
Prepare a business plan; Creating a realistic business plan, capturing your objectives and forecasts will help you start up.
Identify the right finance options for your business; Find out about the different types of finance and how to go about securing funding.
Different approaches to starting your own business; Looks at the most common reasons for going into business, with advice on what to consider before going ahead.
But it is not just Government who is supporting people who want to work for themselves. StartUp Britain is a new campaign by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Designed to celebrate, inspire and accelerate enterprise in the UK, it has the full backing of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and HM Government.
Business Link Regional Advisory Service
The Business Link Regional Advisory Service continues to operate across England and will gradually wind down its activities before it closes on 25th November. As part of this process it is generally focussing on serving existing customers rather than attracting new ones. Each region will offer a basic level of support, but the availability of Business Link services such as workshops and meetings with Business Link advisors will vary across regions.
Over the years, the Business Link Regional Advisory Service has developed a range of assets that might be of use in the new business improvement landscape, so we are working with the Regional Development Agencies (who currently manage the Business Link contracts) to ensure that where there is a future business need, these assets are transferred in accordance with the relevant legal requirements.
Recent activity
Regional Growth Fund The second round of bidding was launched on 12 April, and closes on 1 July.
Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2011 Small firms were amongst the winners announced on 21 April.
Vince Cable speech to British Chambers of Commerce on 7 April in London.
Red Tape Challenge has been launched by the Government to give you the chance to have your say on the regulations that affect you.
Future Bulletins
We will publish our next newsletter in early June, and continue to publish early each month for the next year as we roll out our programme. Our next edition will set out more information on our plans to encourage more people to seek and to provide mentoring, and on how the new portal being developed with the British Bankers Association will help people connect to the mentoring advice they are looking for.
Useful links
Local Enterprise Partnerships - led by local authorities and businesses across natural economic areas. They provide the vision, knowledge and strategic leadership needed to drive sustainable private sector growth and job creation in their area.
Solutions for Business – find out more about the range of publicly funded products and services designed to help Businesses to identify and overcome key challenges as they grow, providing the assistance they need to improve when they need it most.
Enterprise Directorate – find out more about our work across Government and the regions to develop and influence policies to boost enterprise, start ups and small business growth
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Connect with BIS
This newsletter will keep you up to date with progress on delivering the Business Improvement Programme to transform the way that people receive the information, advice and guidance they need to start and grow a business. BIS also publishes a Bulletin which sets out the wider work of BIS to build a dynamic and competitive economy. Click here if you would also like to subscribe to that.
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