New Help to Grow schemes launch as part of boost for small businesses

New Help to Grow management courses have launched as part of a range of government support for small businesses.

Announced in the Autumn Statement, Help to Grow: Management courses offer 12-week programme to improve SME leadership and management skills, 90% subsidised by government.

The Help to Grow website has also been refreshed to create a one-stop shop for small businesses to find the information they need to grow and scale up. The new site will bring together the support on offer from the government into one place, making it quicker and more convenient to find the resources business leaders and budding entrepreneurs need to succeed.

Alongside the additional Help to Grow support, the government has also confirmed the creation of a new Small Business Council, which will launch in March 2024. The council will provide a bespoke forum for small businesses to have their voices represented within government.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local communities and drive the UK’s economy, supporting jobs and wages across the country.

“This new Council will mean SMEs have a clear voice at the table and we can deliver on the key needs for business.“

Small businesses comprise the overwhelming majority of UK businesses, with a combined annual turnover of £4.5 trillion and supporting 27 million jobs. The Help to Grow programme has so far supported nearly 8,000 businesses, with the ambition to support up to 30,000 over the programme’s lifetime.