25/01/2012 by admin.

The fall in GDP confirms the ongoing fragile nature of the economy. The figure is in line with a recent FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESS survey which showed that confidence among small businesses plummeted in Quarter 4, recording a score of -24.5 - a fall of some 15 points from the previous quarter. In Kent the autumn FSB Small Business Barometer revealed the proportion of small business in the county forecasting the same or improved performance in 2012 had fallen by four percentage points to 66%.

The Government had made some good proposals which will help to boost growth, but it is time for action. We need to see these proposals come to fruition so that small firms begin to see action on the ground which really will benefit their business and encourage them to invest and create jobs.

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24/01/2012 by admin.

The Prime Minister plans to open vacant and under-used workplaces to small firms and new enterprises in a bid to kick-start the economy.

The initiative comes at the beginning of a week in which chances of the UK falling back into recession will become clearer when gross domestic product (GDP) figures for the final quarter of 2011 are published on Wednesday.

Mr Cameron will unveil the initiative during a visit to the North-East of England where he is due to address a group of entrepreneurs.

Mr Cameron is expected to say: “The British Government has a huge stock of buildings at our disposal. The first priority for the ones we aren’t using is to sell them off, but in the meantime, many are going to be sitting idle.

“So let’s match the capacity we’ve got with the need that’s out there. Let’s provide office space where we can to those who can use it.”

 The Government hopes to offer more than 300 Government buildings premises at low rates for one year so new companies can establish themselves.

 The tax-payer subsidised perk will be only available to small firms. Specialist business ‘incubation organisations’ will manage and allocate the spaces

 With cuts to the public payroll, many Government buildings lie empty or have space available as they await buyers. Officials said the space would be made available on “flexible, short-term arrangements” that will make productive use of the assets until they are sold.

As well as helping entrepreneurs, the initiative will give a much-needed boost to Treasury finances.

 Mr Cameron is expected to say: “I said 2012 has got to be the year we go for it, the year we light new fires of ambition in our economy, the year we get behind Britain’s grafters, doers, hard-workers and entrepreneurs.

 “This isn’t something we’d quite like to do - it’s something we’ve got to do because enterprise is critical to this country’s future.

“Enterprise is what we do in Britain. This is the year that, more than ever, we’ve got to go for it.”

 The Prime Minister will also launch a campaign aimed at encouraging people to believe £there is a business in everyone”.

The ‘Business in You’ drive will see companies hold workshops and give advice on tackling some of the issues faced by would-be bosses, with the scheme highlighted in radio, newspaper and billboard adverts throughout the year.

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