PM to launch StartUp Britain for small businesses

28/03/2011

Prime minister David Cameron is due to launch the government's StartUp Britain scheme today, aimed at encouraging people to set up their own businesses.

In the proposed programme new firms will be offered around £1,500 support in areas such as internet advertising, finance and IT training.

The scheme is being supported by over 60 global brands including AXA, Blackberry, Google, Virgin Media and Intel who have pledged millions of pounds in supporting new entrepreneurs under the campaign.

According to the government, the scheme is a UK collective response representing the private sectors ambition for an enterprise-led recovery.

It has been estimated that StartUp Britain will be a champion for the UK's 270,000 businesses that start-up every year with a clear focus on targeting the country's potential entrepreneurs.

Mr Cameron is expected to say at today's launch: "I want to make a direct appeal to everyone who's sitting at home or at their desk thinking about starting their own business.

"Now is the time to do it."

On top of this, supporting companies are offering new start-up businesses discounted services to start with. Google is providing firms with a limited amount of free advertising, O2 is giving start-up companies a month's free line rental. 

Regus is offering a month's free Businessworld membership and Fujitsu a 30-day trial or ten per cent of IT storage through its online cloud service.

One of the eight entrepreneurs behind StartUp Britain, Oli Barrett, of the Co-Sponsorship Agency, said: "It aims to be the biggest ever drive from the private sector to contribute to a robust economic recovery."

Furthermore, the launch follows last week's Budget which raised entrepreneurial tax reliefs, created 21 enterprise zones and promised firms less red tape in order to develop and grow

As well as the StartUp Britain campaign the government is launching a proposal for every school to develop and run its own business through its Enterprise Champions Programme.

This scheme includes a major roll-out of Tenner Tycoon, a successful competition run by the Peter Jones Foundation which gives young people an opportunity to take their business ideas forward.

Vince Cable, the business secretary, said that to rebuild the economy and create new jobs, we need to inspire the next generation to seriously think about starting their own company.

 Posted by Alison Smith