‘Help to Grow’ campaign revamp and Small Business Council to help SMEs

The UK Government has announced the launch of a new Small Business Council as part of its commitment to the nation’s 5.5 million small businesses.

We all know that small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, comprising 99.9% of all businesses and supporting 27 million jobs across the country, with an annual turnover of £4.5 trillion. Recognising the pivotal role these businesses play in the UK economy, the government has declared 2024 as ‘the year of the SME’.

Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, said:

‘Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local communities and drive the UK’s economy, supporting jobs and wages across the country. This new council will mean SMEs have a clear voice at the table and we can deliver on the key needs for business.’

Small Business Council

The Small Business Council is tasked with working alongside the Prime Minister’s Business Council to tackle key issues facing small businesses. The Council is intended to provide an opportunity for small business leaders to have direct access to the government.

The Council will include organisations dedicated to helping small businesses, such as Small Business Britain, the Federation of Small Businesses and Family Business UK, as well as representatives from SMEs themselves.

Help To Grow Revamped

In addition to setting up the Small Business Council, the government has revamped the Help to Grow campaign and website to provide a comprehensive resource hub for small businesses. This ‘one-stop shop’ aims to simplify access to vital information such as funding opportunities, webinars and guidance on setting up and scaling a business.

A 12 week programme, called the Help to Grow: Management Course, is also available and is designed to help business owners learn leadership and management skills. Nearly 8,000 businesses have already been through the programme which is 90% subsidised by the Government. The goal is for 30,000 to benefit. To access this course, you must employ between 5 and 249 people.

An additional course, Help to Grow: Management Essentials, will launch in April 2024 which will cater for micro-businesses and those that want a condensed version of the leadership course.

We’ll bring you more on this as soon as it becomes available as we know some clients have found the Management Course helpful.