Chancellor needs to back local business support agencies to drive economic recovery, says National Enterprise Network

The membership organisation representing the Enterprise Agencies and other Business Support Bodies up and down the country is calling on the Chancellor to provide material funding to enable quality business advice and support to be made available to both new business start-ups and small businesses that are emerging from the pandemic.

As local economies look to manage their recoveries and create employment for those who have already lost jobs, and those who are currently furloughed but find themselves unemployed when the current job support schemes are withdrawn, there will be a critical need to support many individuals into self-employment. Additionally, there will be a demand for advice from the small businesses who have survived the downturn.

The Enterprise Agencies, and other support organisations are well placed to deliver advice, support and guidance within their regional infrastructures, but need the funding to do so at scale.

Chair of the National Enterprise Network, Alex Till commented, “The business support organisations in the UK are well established and experienced in delivering business programmes to pre starts, new start-ups and recently established businesses. They are at the centre of their local business networks, and understand both the local business dynamics, and the local opportunities for enterprise development. To deliver effectively, and help drive the economic recovery, financial support is required by them, particularly in the current post Brexit era, with European funding no longer available.

We strongly urge the Chancellor to acknowledge the value of the local business support networks and make the necessary budget allocations to them. Failure to do so would represent a huge, and important, lost opportunity”

Notes to Editors

Contact:
Alex Till. alex@menta.org.uk


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About National Enterprise Network

National Enterprise Network’s Mission is to represent, unite and support all organisations who are passionate about inspiring and encouraging enterprise. We support our membership by: Representing their interests to government and others in the public and private sector, showcasing a unique national network of credible, quality assured enterprise support organisations. Promoting the successes they achieve and demonstrating the value they add to local communities and the wider economy. Connecting them to people and projects inside and outside the Network, to share valuable knowledge, skills and opportunities for even greater success.


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