Small Businesses (Hansard, 9 January 2002)

§ Nigel Griffiths

All Government Departments have been encouraged to 'Think Small First'. The Small Business Service (SBS) has consulted across Whitehall to ensure all Departments consider the impact their actions have on small businesses. Significant progress has been made in the, Government's three priority areas of:

(i) entrepreneurial culture and environment;
(ii) regulatory framework for business; and
(iii) support for business.

Examples of progress are as follows: an independent cross-departmental Review of Enterprise and the Economy in Education, led by Sir Howard Davies. The review is expected to report by the end of January 2002; enterprise and entrepreneurial skills are now included in the national curriculum; the launch of the Enterprise Insight "Enterprising Schools" initiative which encourages businesses to get involved in enterprise programmes; SBS consulted at an early stage by all Government Departments when UK regulatory policy issues affecting small businesses are being considered and their comments included in the final Regulatory Impact Assessment; implementation periods introduced for new legislation, which will give business clear guidance on new legislation 12 weeks before it comes into force; the Business Link Operator network re-structured and the national information and advisory service launched to provide a more consistent and customer focused service to small businesses. SBS working with other Government Departments to promote the Business Link Operator network as the route to market for business support services; 'NHS Plus' launched, which will enable a national network of NHS Occupational Health Departments to provide services specifically to small businesses.

SBS have developed a range of performance indicators to measure the impact and benchmark the success of 'Think Small First" (available on the website www.sbs.gov.uk/consultations.) SBS intend to publish the initial findings early this year.