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Small businesses throughout the UK will be able to access discounts of up to £5,000 on approved software and dedicated website with free advice and support as part of a new scheme launched on Thursday (20 January).
The Help to Grow: Digital platform for SMEs was launched by Chancellor Rishi Sunak who hosted a call with more than 30 businesses from across the UK at CineBowl in Uttoxeter where he spoke to people on a big screen about their experiences before taking part in a Q&A session.
The scheme includes a dedicated website providing free advice and support and software vouchers to boost productivity and help businesses grow.
Participants in the roundtable virtual meeting included an accountancy firm, a catering and cookery school, a hair and beauty salon and a web designer and posed questions covering a range of topics from how the scheme will be delivered to the digital economy. They joined from across the UK including Edinburgh, Bristol, Bolton, Norwich, Brentford, Peterborough, Brighton, and Yorkshire.
The Chancellor said small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy, creating jobs and prosperity across the UK and said the new programme will help them stay more competitive and profitable.
“It’s been fantastic to speak to firms from across the UK and discuss how the scheme will benefit them – adopting new technologies is proven to improve processes and boost productivity,” he said.
Whilst in the area, the Chancellor also toured the former Spode pottery factory in Stoke to see how a £20 million investment from the Levelling Up Fund will help transform the historic site into new homes, shops and community space. This will help spread opportunity, create jobs and boost the local economy.