Enterprise
An environment that encourages enterprise and supports people who take opportunities and risks is a crucial ingredient of productivity improvement. A strong entrepreneurial base is an essential driver of growth and prosperity in a modern economy. New and more dynamic businesses increase competitive pressures in markets and facilitate the introduction of new ideas, technologies and more efficient working practices.
Despite the rapid growth of the SME sector since the 1970's, rates of entrepreneurial activity in the UK remain moderate by international standards, in particular when compared to the US. To address this gap, the Government is taking steps to:
- establish and maintain a modern and competitive business tax system;
- reduce the regulatory burden on enterprise;
- address barriers to raising finance for small business;
- improve support for small and new business;
- promote a step change in the UK’s enterprise culture.
The following document is available below in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). If you do not have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer you can download the software free of charge from the Adobe website. For alternative ways to read PDF documents and further information on website accessibility visit the HM Treasury accessibility page.
- Enterprise and economic opportunity in deprived areas: A consultation on proposals for a Local Enterprise Growth Initiative
- Bridging the Finance Gap: Next steps in improving access to growth capital of small businesses (December 2003)
- PDF file of Easing the impact of VAT: Consultation on a flat rate scheme for small firms, June 2001
- extend the enterprise culture throughout the country by tackling the obstacles to business growth and investment in Britain’s most disadvantaged areas;
- Enterprise and social exclusion, November 1999
- promote a better understanding of business and enterprise throughout the school and further education systems.
- Davies Review
Useful links
Science and Innovation index
Budgets
Pre Budget Reports
Small Business Service
Business Link
Expenditure Plans Report for the DTI