The FSB said it was pleased to see pledges by ministers to extend Government guarantees to pay invoices within ten days to the wider public sector and also to see commitments to employee training and free business health-checks.
Responding to the proposals by Skills Secretary John Denham to prioritise training for small businesses in England under the Train to Gain scheme, FSB national chairman John Wright said: "Small firms need all the help they can get when it comes to training their staff. It is crucial that training is appropriate and affordable for the smaller employer.”
“Small businesses are often impeded by lengthy administration and the costs of providing training so must be made aware of support available. We welcome these measures which should lead to greater uptake of the Government's Train to Gain scheme.”
“The Government is going along the right lines. The proposals should now be coupled with a mechanism to ensure the banks start releasing money to small firms on reasonable terms and other ideas from the FSB and other parties should also be given serious consideration.”
