Guide to the Government’s Business Support Services October 2015 Guide to the Government’s Business Services Why small business is big business 2 Guide to the Government’s Business Services Index Helping small businesses: What support is there for a small business? 4 Business Information and Guidance 6 Local Advice & Support 8 Support for start-ups 9 Running a Business 14 Growing a business 18 Staff 21 Accessing Finance 24 Developing new ideas and products 28 Exporting 31 Digital 33 European Funding Accessing European Finance and Partnerships for Business Innovation Opportunities 35 If you have any questions or comments on this guide, please contact: Andy Harrison Email:
[email protected] Linda Prosper Email:
[email protected] 3 Guide to the Government’s Business Services Helping small businesses What support is there for a small business? You are the First Point of Call… This guide is aimed at people who work with businesses or work in Government and have frequent contact with small businesses. It summarises public schemes and advice available to businesses and also sets out where further information can be found. New integrated schemes such as the Business Growth Service are now being implemented or existing ones modified to help businesses grow. They have been designed to supplement and build on private sector provision - which is why most of the programmes are delivered through intermediaries, rather than by central government. Guide to the Government’s Business Services - What is it? This document sets out the Government’s national (English) business support service.