Solutions for Business - simplified business support
Solutions for Business is the government’s streamlined portfolio of business support products accessible via Business Link.
In order to make government grants, subsidies and advice more targeted and easier to access the Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP) has reduced the thousands of publicly-funded support schemes to 30 via one, transparent, easy to find portfolio of products under the readily identifiable banner, Solutions for Business.
Solutions for Business products, which have been developed with the input of the business community, were in place March 2009 and will be followed by a twelve month transition period. By March 2010, Solutions for Business products will be the only government help businesses will see.
Budget 2009 committed that all future forms of business support will be delivered through the Solutions for Business portfolio. Building on this, the Government will publish, alongside the 2009 Pre-Budget Report, a detailed report on progress against delivery that will set out what has been achieved, give early indications of the associated benefits, and outline the strategy for maintaining and building on this simplified framework in the future.
Why has the Government done this?
To succeed in a competitive global environment businesses, large and small, need ongoing access to help and support. Providing it to build the capacity and capability of business, people and regions as well as addressing inequality and environmental sustainability is a government priority.
Previously it was estimated over 3,000 publicly funded business support schemes existed. Businesses said they were confused and discouraged from applying. Solutions for Business will deliver a better support service to business, increase the impact of schemes, and make savings for government through the removing complexity, cost and confusion from the system. Research estimates that better targeted assistance will add up to £1.4bn per year of value for businesses.
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Local Authorities are partners in the delivery of Solutions for Business and regional funders, such as RDAs, have a role in deciding how much money to put into each product and whether or not to make all products available in their area. Local Authorities can choose to co-fund products. In addition, it is recognised that variation of the national products may be needed to meet exceptional business challenges, so products have some flexibility around the core offer.
Read more about their work in What’s happening in your region?
