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I’m Dan, a freelance small business journalist and event host with 20+ years of experience. If you’re looking for small business-focused content or an engaging event host, I’d love to help. Get in touch.
MPs’ call for evidence on support for entrepreneurs closes ahead of government’s new small business strategy
The deadline for responding to an influential group of MPs’ inquiry into how the government should support small businesses was reached this week.
The Business and Trade Committee launched the inquiry ahead of the upcoming publication of the government’s new small business strategy.
Committee chair Liam Byrne MP said the inquiry is about “giving small businesses the voice in the national debate that they deserve, to build a growth strategy that works not just for the giants but for the grafters, the builders and the job creators who power our communities and high streets.”
The group also said it was created because “unlike the Industrial Strategy, there has been no Green Paper to allow small businesses to consider what’s on the table or input their views”.
Issues the MPs sought feedback on included the ease of setting up a business, access to finance, tax, productivity and small business access to government contracts.
The government’s new small business strategy has been a long time coming. The former Conservative government pledged to deliver one but it didn’t happen. Labour’s strategy is expected later this summer.
I attended an Enterprise Nation meeting of small business owners and Department for Business officials about what should be in the strategy. I shared ideas as a sole trader on how government support could be adapted to help the smallest of businesses, such as widening the eligibility for the Help to Grow programme.
One of my ideas for many years and something I told Vince Cable when he was business secretary was that the government could use the many official letters you receive when starting a business to communicate much more positive messages around the business support and funding that is available rather than just focusing on small business owners’ tax and other regulatory obligations.
I will providing extensive coverage of the small business strategy when it is finally published. Sign up to my blog for updates by adding your email in the box at the end of this page.
Government announces £1m support programme for tech start-ups outside London
The Department for Science, Technology and Innovation (DSIT) has announced a new scheme to support technology entrepreneurs based outside London.
The new £1m Regional Tech Booster programme is aimed at growing technology clusters and early-stage digital start-ups in regions outside of the UK capital.
It will seek to help close the gap between London and other areas by tackling challenges such as access to finance and skills development.
The pilot scheme will be managed by the UK Tech Cluster Group (UKTCG), a network of regional technology business support organisations. Participating founders will be able to access mentoring, investment promotion events, and workshops.
Baroness Jones, minister for tech and future digital economy, said:
“Tech innovation doesn’t stop at the M25 and we’re choosing to invest in the talent and ideas flourishing across the UK.
“By supporting regional tech entrepreneurs, we’re creating the conditions for innovation and prosperity to flourish.”
Katie Gallagher, chair of the UKTCG and managing director of Manchester Digital, said:
“With members from across the UK’s nations and regions, UKTCG is uniquely placed to deliver this work ensuring every part of the country benefits from the UK’s thriving tech sector.
“The UK’s nations and regions are home to a diverse and growing network of tech ecosystems. They already make a vital contribution to the economy and with the right support, they can do even more.
“We’re pleased that DSIT has selected the UK Tech Cluster Group to pilot a new approach. This programme will focus on collaboration, connecting clusters, sharing best practice, supporting founders and entrepreneurs and creating a practical playbook for building strong, sustainable regional tech economies.”
New tech company incorporations reach record high
The number of new UK technology incorporations hit a record high in the second quarter of 2025, new analysis shows.
A total of 14,262 new tech firms were incorporated between April and June, up 16% from 12,318 in the same period last year, and a 17% quarter-on-quarter rise from 12,184 in the first quarter of the year.
The data from consulting firm RSM showed that technology incorporations in all UK regions were up, with nine out of the 12 regions recording the highest number of new tech incorporations since 2019.
The highest rises were in Wales and Northern Ireland, where tech incorporations grew 89% and 42% respectively.
Ben Bilsland from RSM said:
“This surprising jump in new tech incorporations to a record high suggests that, despite the numerous headwinds, tech entrepreneurs and leaders are getting used to dealing with an uncertain world.
“We’ve seen tech growth cool down over the last year, as businesses and investors delayed big decisions. It’s clear they’ve realised the uncertainty isn’t going away anytime soon, and may be the new norm, so it’s time to press ahead.”
Bilsland added that the government’s industrial strategy and digital and technologies sector plan have provided “clarity” and “a boost to the sector”, but he warned that “significant investment is needed, and if economic uncertainty escalates, this will act as a roadblock to future tech growth”.
Small business grants and loans open for applications
Innovation grants for food businesses in Thanet, Kent.
Grants from Amazon of up to £30,000 to charities that help underserved communities pursue their creative ambitions.
Shop front grants for businesses in Cumberland.
Grants of up to £5,000 for businesses in Cheltenham to reduce their carbon emissions.
Grants of up to £5,000 for businesses to spend on equipment in Newport, Wales.
Innovate UK loans for close to market innovative projects with strong commercial potential.
I’m Dan, a freelance small business journalist and event host with 20+ years of experience. If you’re looking for small business-focused content or an engaging event host, I’d love to help. Get in touch.
Dan Martin 