National Enterprise Network featured in the Leaders Council Levelling Up Special Report

The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has released a special report entitled ‘The Levelling Up Agenda’, with contributions from the National Enterprise Network.

This report examines the government’s Levelling Up agenda with expert analysis from Dr Jonathan Carr-West (Chief Executive of LGiU), Andrew Lewer MP (Member of the Education and Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Select Committees) and Alex Till (Chairman of the National Enterprise Network), as well as other parliamentarians and expert organisations.

Lord Blunkett, Chairman of The Leaders Council says, “Policy is not created in a vacuum and its effects are often felt in surprising and unexpected ways. In both the creation of policy and the aftermath of its implementation, a robust critique is vital. This Special Report provides a platform for such critique, which will be provided by experts across multiple sectors of our society. We take no stance ourselves but enable others who will be affected by policy changes to express their informed opinions.”

The special report will be presented to relevant MPs and Lords, as well as leading industry figures.

Levelling up is an important strategic objective of The National Enterprise Network (NEN). Being a nationwide organisation, NEN represents many enterprise support bodies in the less affluent areas of the UK, where small businesses play a significant part in local economies.

Alex Till, Chairman of the National Enterprise Network and contributor to the report said: "NEN was pleased to contribute to the report, being able to demonstrate the value of start-ups, and small businesses to the country's economy. We have taken the opportunity to emphasise that the government needs to ensure sufficient small business support funding is directed to every region in the country, which we see as a critical component of the levelling up agenda".

Mr Till's key points in the report included:

1. It was felt there had recently become more ‘dumbing down’ of small businesses rather than levelling up.

2. Small businesses need greater certainty around funding in the wake of a Brexit black hole in support.

3. Levelling up will be dependent on the government recognising the value of small and micro businesses.

Read the Special Report into the Levelling Up Agenda here: www.leaderscouncil.co.uk/special-reports/The-Levelling-Up-Agenda-A-Special-Report-by-The-Leaders-Council.

About NEN

NEN is renowned as the home of enterprise support in England. We are constantly seeking oportunites to represent the views and priorities of our members to UK Government, and are committed to influencing policy and funding decisions on your behalf. In 2022, this will include publishing our own research papers and reports on the evolving enterprise sector.

Our mission is to represent, unite and support all organisations who are passionate about inspiring and encouraging enterprise.

Contact details:

For more information about NEN, visit our website https://www.nationalenterprisenetwork.org or connect with us on Twitter @NatEntNet or contact us at: enquiries@nationalenterprisenetwork.org

Notes to Editors

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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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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