23. Mr. Michael FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises. [83625]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe Government's vision is that anybody with the talent, potential and drive to succeed in business has the opportunity and the necessary support to do so, regardless of their background. Government have an important role in creating a fertile business environment; addressing market failures; and ensuring that where it comes into contact with future entrepreneurs it encourages rather than hinders them.
989WMeasures already put in place and new developments announced in the pre-Budget report will take further steps towards attaining this goal, and the policy framework developed by the Small Business Service (SBS) will drive forward improvements in policy and service delivery.
Government spends in the region of £2.5 billion a year on a wide range of services for small business. The Cross Cutting Review of business support set out a series of practical recommendations for driving up the quality and effectiveness of these services, with the aim of improving the customer experience for all small businesses.
In addition, Spending Review 2002 provided the SBS with extra resources to help meet the challenges of its new role as a champion for small businesses across Whitehall. The Spending Review provided an additional £40 million by 2005–06, compared with 2002–03, to boost e-delivery of services, while the Phoenix Fund is also being extended by two years beyond March 2004 with an extra £50 million over 2004–05 and 2005–06 to promote enterprise in deprived areas.