§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking(a) to ensure effective co-operation and (b) to avoid duplication between the work of the Small Business Service and Business Links.[11847]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe Small Business Service and the Business Link Operators are part of the same network. They are not two different competing organisations. Business Link is the customer facing brand of the Small Business Service. The Business Link Service encompasses a national contact centre and website and the network of 45 local Business Link Operators.
The Small Business Service manages the network of local Business Link operators through its regional teams. They are responsible for encouraging effective local and regional collaboration and building a learning network.