THE Government has recently announced the steps it will take to refresh the Help to Grow campaign, which it says will reassert its ongoing commitment to make the UK the best place to start and grow a small business.

This package includes the introduction of a new ‘Small Business Council’ to be launched as early as next month.

The Government has said the Council will build on the Department of Business and Trade’s (DBT) existing support for SMEs and provide a bespoke forum for small businesses to be represented within Government. The refreshed Help to Grow campaign will also see a new one-stop shop collating information on funding schemes, support, guidance on how to set up a business, and other resources all in one place for SMEs to help them grow.

A 12-week intensive management course that is 90% subsidised by the Government will also be on offer to improve SME leadership and management skills.

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) supports this announcement and after advocating for SMEs for several years, appreciates the recognition of the importance of SMEs to the economy.

Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the NFB, said: “This announcement is good news; however, it will be vital for the council to understand the needs of specific industries, as well as promoting existing regulations that already support them. SMEs within the construction industry train 7 in 10 apprentices and makes up 90% of training capacity, so their health is front and centre to the construction industry, delivering 9% of the UK’s GDP and employing 2.7 million people.”

Rico Wojtulewicz, NFB’s Head of Policy and Market Insight, added: “The Small Business Council must identify and tackle the specific policy barriers to support and enable small businesses. In planning, as one of many examples we can offer, design codes will bring much needed certainty, but disjointed decarbonisation and environment policy will remove those gains and add new costs and complexities, which will disproportionately harm SMEs the most.”

1. NFB is the longest standing and most representative construction trade body representing over 1,000 members with 28,500 employees with a combined turnover of over £8bn (FY 2023)
2. The NFB represents builders, contractors and house builders across England and Wales. Founded in 1896, its members range from the sole traders to large, billion-pound construction companies, with turnover ranging from below £500,000 to £1.1 billion. The NFB provides advice, training, and business services to ensure members stay up to date.
3. The NFB campaigns on the issues that affect the construction industry such as procurement, skills, sustainability, and funding. It represents the industry to government and industry forums and is an active media commentator and policy influencer.
4. For further information please contact the NFB press office on 03450 578 160 or email: press@builders.org.uk