Speaking in support of local businesses at the setting for the final of the British Touring Car Championships held at Brands Hatch from 10-13th October Michael said: “The Business is Great Britain campaign, which launched last year, now provides a comprehensive website that makes it easier for small businesses to access the support that will help them grow through exporting, hiring and business planning. They will also be able to see how services such as those offered through UK Trade & Investment, Growth Accelerator and the National Apprenticeship Service can help their business to grow.”
“Alongside this campaign the Government has unveiled a range of new support this year for small businesses. It has:
- Introduced a new Employment Allowance which will put up to £2,000 back into your business: 450,000 small businesses will pay no national insurance at all;
- boosted the number of apprenticeships to 1.8m since 2010 and driven up the quality of training every apprentice receives. Grants are now offered of up to £1,500 to support firms that hire an apprentice;
- Developed Growth Vouchers to help business owners to find and pay for strategic advice to grow their businesses;
- Introduced a new range of measures to make it easier for people to run a business from home, from updated planning guidance to clearer business rates;
- Made it easier to access finance. New Start-up loans have been offered to over 20,-000 businesses and £100m has been drawn down;
- Helped thousands of businesses to break into new markets, with local support from UKTI’s international trade advisors.”
“This already builds on the significant progress which has been made int he last four years. This includes:
- Targeting 3,000 rules to be scrapped or amended – this is the first Government in modern history to reduce the overall amount of regulation, saving businesses over £1.2 billion;
- Extending small business rate relief until 2015. This is saving £ millions for small businesses;
- Introducing the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, R&D tax credits and Annual Investment Allowance;
- Establishing the British Business Bank – through their finance programmes £782m of additional lending and investment is available to smaller businesses
- Cutting corporation tax to 20 per cent, making the UK tax system one of the most competitive int he world, the joint lowest in the G20.”
He also welcomed Bill Fox, MD for Kent Business Academy which offers help to businesses looking to improve and grow, Darryl Eales, Advisory Chairman for Lloyds Development Company, Guy Townley from the Intellectual Property Office, Alan Gow, Series Director for BTCC and Nick Kelly, MD of AFIA Ltd who has secured £125,000 from the Escalate fund to help it grow his mobility equipment business.