Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2003/11/20/dti_builds_sme_data_portal/

DTI builds SME data portal

Strike up the band

By Rob Jaques

Posted in On-Prem, 20th November 2003 10:44 GMT

The Department of Trade and Industry yesterday brought all the Government's information services for UK small and medium-sized businesses under the umbrella of a single website.

Business Link, the DTI-backed business advice service, fronts the site. Trade and industry Minister Jacqui Smith. said the site was created to help the 3.3 million small firms and in England understand the myriad rules and regulations that apply to them, and to explain the services offered by the Government.

The site, which has been built in collaboration with other Government departments and agencies including The Treasury, Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and Companies House, carries information on grants and support schemes and guidance on issues such as employment law and tax.

Smith said: "Whether they are starting, running or growing their business, business owners and managers often tell us they don't know which rules and regulations they need to consider, and what support is available from Government to help them. The new businesslink.gov.uk website brings together all this information in one place."

Martin Wyn Griffith, head of Business Link, added that the site aims "to enable anyone who wants to set up in or improve the performance of their business with easy access to the relevant information, advice funding or training available from the public, private and voluntary sectors." ®