Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP)
What is the Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP)
In the 2006 Budget, the Government announced a Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP) to streamline the system of around 3,000 business support schemes to 100 or less by 2010. The result of this process will be a simplified, cost effective and better targeted portfolio of business support products that is better accessed and understood by business.
In simple terms, it sets out to make it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to understand and access the support available.
The region has been moving towards ensuring a more effective delivery of business support over the last few years. BSSP builds on the region’s progress on simplifying this support.
One North East has been commissioned by BERR to lead the implementation of business support simplification in the North East. The agency is working with partners to develop a regional vision for business support to ensure the infrastructure meets the needs of local businesses.
Solutions for Business – Product Portfolio
‘Solutions for Business – funded by government’ is a streamlined portfolio of publicly-funded business support products with a common look and feel that businesses can access via Business Link.
30 products will become available to businesses under the ‘Solutions for Business’ banner between October 2008 and March 2009, the 30 products are :
1. Accessing International Markets
2. Business Collaboration Networks
3. Business Growth: Specialist Facilities and Environments
4. Business Premises
5. Coaching for High Growth
6. Collaborative R & D
7. Designing Demand
8. Developing your International Trade Potential
9. Enterprise Coaching
10. Environmental Land Management Funding
11. Environmental Land Management Advice
12. Export Credit Guarantee
13. Finance for Business
14. Grant for Business Investment
15. Grant for Research and Development
16. Improving Your Resource Efficiency
17. Innovation Advice and Guidance
18. Innovation Vouchers
19. Intensive Start Up Support
20 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
21. Low Carbon Energy Demonstration
22. Manufacturing Advisory Service
23. Maximising Foreign Direct Investment
24. Networking for Innovation
25. Small Loans for Business
26. Starting a Business
27. Starting a High Growth Business
28. Support to Lenders
29. Train to Gain
30. Understanding Finance for Business
For further information on what support is available please click here
Engaging with Stakeholders
A Private-sector led Board (NETMB)- chaired by Ian Dormer, of Rosh Engineering, has been set up to oversee the review of simplification in the North East.
The Board is made up of organisations representing users, key funders and the third sector. Their role is to oversee simplification, advise key funders and partners, review regional business support, influence regional priorities and share good practice.
The members of the Board are:
Ian Dormer (Chair) , Rosh Engineering
Ian Williams, One North East
Jo Boaden, Business & Enterprise North East
Neil Robertson, Government Office North East
Colin Stratton, Federation of Small Business
Andrew Sugden, North East Chamber of Commerce
Gillian Miller, Learning and Skills Council
Hugh Morgan-Williams, CBI
Douglas Robertson, Newcastle University
Sandra Cartlidge, Middlesbrough Council
Kate Welch OBE, Acumen Development Trust
For more information about BSSP, please visit the One North East BSSP site or contact Chris Taylor on 0191 229 6607, email chris.taylor@onenortheast.co.uk
To receive our BSSP e-newsletter for updates, please subscribe here.
