SBS was set up to fail

by Susie Hughes at 09:22 25/05/06 (News on Business)

The Small Business Service (SBS) was 'set up to fail' according to a small business pressure group.

The scathing attack from the Forum of Private Business (FPB) comes after the National Audit Office (NAO) wrote a damning report into the SBS. (See: Small firms agency misses the mark - Shout99, May 2006). The FPB thinks the verdict in the NAO's report was 'inevitable' and says it comes as no surprise that the SBS has been called 'ineffectual' and is unable to say what it is achieving. Advertisement The FPB Campaigns Manager Victoria Carson said: "The SBS was set up to fail. Its very conception was flawed. When small firms make up the overwhelming majority of business in the UK why are government departments designed to the needs of big business? “The SBS has neither the influence, nor the structure to best serve small firms. Our members need real representation at the highest levels, not what is, essentially, a cumbersome compromise.” The ideals that the SBS stands for are supported by the FPB. “Our members need red tape cut, easy access to finance and a connected system of government services representing them. The SBS is failing to deliver on those fronts,” said Miss Carson. The problems with the SBS are not helped by constant changes in its structure and those working within the system are fighting an uphill battle. -- If you wish to comment on this article, please log in and use the Reply button below. Registering is free and easy - see 'Join Shout99'. - Susie Hughes © Shout99.com 2006

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