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<p>We know how vital businesses are to the UK economy. So we will continue to work
hard to support everyone who wants to start and grow their own business. Through our
Industrial Strategy we aim to make Britain the best place to start and grow a business.</p><p>
</p><p>We want to ensure small business owners have access to the support they need
to start, grow and export. The Business Support Helpline, GOV.UK and a network of
38 Growth Hubs across England provide access to information, advice and support business
growth. We are developing an Export Strategy to support businesses to access international
markets. For Small & Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) looking to export, UK export
finance will announce a new guarantee to banks designed to increase the flow of money
in the supply chain.</p><p> </p><p>We also want small businesses to have the access
to finance they need to grow. So we are helping through the British Business Bank
which supports over £4bn of finance to over 65,000 UK SMEs. This includes delivering
54,000 Start-Up Loans worth £400m since 2012. Going forward we plan to unlock over
£20bn of investment in innovative and high potential businesses, including establishing
a new £2.5bn investment fund within the Bank.</p><p> </p><p>Tackling late payments
and ensuring small businesses have access to government contracts are also important
issues we are working to address. The Small Business Commissioner will help with payment
issues, dispute resolution and sourcing advice across the UK. And we are opening up
public procurement to SMEs, with a commitment to one pound in every three of central
government spend going to SMEs by 2022.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have
launched a review into what actions could be most effective in improving productivity
and growth of SMEs in what has been called the ‘long tail’ of lower productivity firms.</p><p>
</p><p>We will carry on focusing on the needs of businesses through the delivery of
our Industrial Strategy and as we work to secure the best and most ambitious Brexit
deal for the whole of the United Kingdom.</p>
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