Steve Brine has spoken of his excitement after the Prime Minister announced a new campaign to help small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).
The Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP, who had outlined initial plans to a recent Chamber of Commerce business breakfast held in Winchester in mid-January, said that the year-long campaign, The Business in You, will see the government working closely with the private sector to inspire people to realise their business ambitions and to highlight the support available for start-ups and smaller, growing businesses.
Speaking from the Department for Business Innovation & Skills, Minister Mark Prisk MP said: "Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the British economy and 2012 presents a unique opportunity for British business, so we need to do everything we can to encourage them to start up and grow in 2012.
"The campaign inspires people to fulfil their dream of starting a new business or to take the leap to grow their business, to employ more staff, or to start exporting."
The Business in You is not only a Government campaign, and a number of partners including Ernst & Young, MITIE, Grant Thornton and Yell are on board backing SMEs and start-ups with specific offers of help.
Steve said: "I am really excited to hear that the campaign is backed by the British Chambers of Commerce, the Institute of Directors, the Confederation of British Industry and the Federation of Small Businesses to name just a few.
"I would be delighted to hear from SMEs and people locally who are thinking about starting up a new business, and would encourage them to take a look at the department's website for more information."
More information...
Find out more at www.businesslink.gov.uk/newservices.