Member Article

Government urged to maintain business growth scheme

The Federation of Small businesses (FSB) has urged ministers to improve on a successful scheme that rewards local authorities for supporting entrepreneurs. The business organisation said that the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive (LABGI) scheme has been successful, and the government should recognise this by extending its life span.

Under the LABGI scheme, local authorities have received around £300 million per year for three years as a reward for promoting economic growth in their areas. They can use that money as they see fit.

The plan is set to change to bring in a new scheme that would see local authorities receive about £100m per year instead, which the FSB believes is “inadequate”.

Roger Culcheth, FSB local government chairman, said: “The LABGI scheme has been a great success and should be extended in its present form. It has encouraged councils to work harder to support economic and business development in local areas. “But the money it raises must not get lost in council finances. It should be ring-fenced to support the success of local businesses in the future.

“Given the economic hardships that many are facing at the moment, a less generous scheme to support local businesses is exactly the wrong thing to do. Extending and improving the existing LABGI scheme would be a shot in the arm for the 4.5 million small businesses that generate over half of the UK’s wealth.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .