§ The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Ms Patricia Hewitt)The Small Business Service (SBS) is today publishing its business plan for 2004–05. I have deposited copies of the plan in the House of Commons Library. Electronic versions are available on the SBS website www.sbs.gov.uk.
The Government published a cross-departmental action plan "A Government action plan for small business" in January. The action plan defines Government's programme of work going forward and is the foundation for the 2004–05 SBS business plan. The SBS has a leadership role as a center of expertise, an innovator and an engine for change within government based on its experience of delivering services to small businesses and its extensive research base and network of contacts.
The business plan sets out what the SBS will do to drive forward implementation of the Government action plan over the next 12 months. It also sets out the changes being made within the SBS to make a reality of its leadership role within Government on small business issues.
The plan identifies eight key agency targets for 2004–05 grouped—where relevant—under the strategy to which they relate.
Building an enterprise culture
Deliver a national enterprise awareness event involving public and private sector partners in November 2004.Encouraging a dynamic start-up market
Complete the establishment of the council for graduate entrepreneurship by May 2004.Building the capability for small business growth
44WSEnsure by March 2005 that Business Link (both the website and the face to face service) is effectively promoting and delivering the DTI's new portfolio of business support products—particularly those relating to innovation, knowledge transfer and best practice.Improving access to finance for small businesses
Complete an action plan for carrying forward the recommendations of the review of the small firms loan guarantee by December 2004, and launch a pathfinder round of enterprise capital funds within one month of state aid approval being received.Encouraging more enterprise in disadvantaged communities and under-represented groups
Launch the second round of the City Growth Strategies and Phoenix Fund Building on the best projects from April 2004. monitor their progress and begin a programme of events to share best practice by February 2005.Improving small businesses' experience of Government services
Plan the transfer of responsibility for the management of Business Link Operator contracts to the regional development agencies within a national framework that maintains core service standards with effect from April 2005.Developing better regulation and policy
Complete a public consultation so that government can consider whether to extend the concept of common commencement dates for regulations to new areas of domestic law, and publish the responses.Delivering the Government Action Plan for Small Business
Monitor, evaluate and drive forward implementation of the Government-wide "Action Plan for Small Business" published in January 2004, updating the web-based implementation programme available at www.sbs.gov.uk on a regular basis to record the progress being made.