Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps the Government is taking to encourage the establishment and growth of new small businesses.

Mark Prisk MP; Minister of State (Business and Enterprise): The Government are encouraging the establishment and growth of new small businesses by:

Launching the new Enterprise Allowance to help the unemployed become self-employed;

Revamping the:
www.businesslink.gov.uk
website which will include a dedicated "start-up hub" bringing into one place the information that people need when thinking of starting or are running a new business;

Establishing a network of at least 40,000 experienced business mentors offering practical advice to existing businesses and people who want to start a business;

Encouraging local authorities to work with the private sector to create Local Economic Partnerships (LEPs) to create the right conditions for small firms to grow;

Refocusing the range of Solutions for Business products so that they are better focussed on helping firms grow;

Investing over £200 million in a national network of elite Technology and Innovation Centres to support the development and commercialisation of new technologies by UK businesses; and

Establishing a new Business Coaching for Growth Programme to enable those new small businesses with high growth potential to realise their potential.