smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

No safety net

Whereas some financial institutions may get bailed out by a...
Have your say »

RSS

Olympics 'will benefit SMEs'

May 16 2008

Email a friend

The 2012 Olympic Games will have a huge impact on businesses from all over the UK, not just London, it has been claimed.

Minister of the Olympics Tessa Jowell has promised that businesses will be helped to get involved in the games, saying that the Olympics's success depends on the cooperation of business.

She adds: 'The government is absolutely determined to ensure that UK businesses, particularly SMEs, have the support they need, to successfully compete for, and win, contracts.'

Jowell promises that there will be £6 billion of contracts open to businesses of all sizes.

Representatives from the Olympics organisational committee will be attending the 2008 Confederation of British Industry Business Summit on 11 June to explain more about the opportunities available.

The government recently opened up the supply2 website for small business to make access to public contracts easier.

Comments [1]

Comment by Ciaran Nagle

Wednesday 21st May 2008

Ms Jowell unfortunately has no idea of the obstacles that her bureaucrats have put in the way of SMEs. Last week I registered my limited company with the Supply2 website and answered the questions honestly. After registering, the site told me that I was barred from becoming a supplier. The reason? We do not have a written equal opportunities policy. Of course the fact that we have one full-time and one part-time employeee and that we will not be employing anyone new for the foreseeable future is irrelevant to the civil servants who drew up these politically correct requirements. Of course Ms Jowell, I will have a written equal opportunities policy - when I need one. In the meantime Supply 2 says I must wait until Business Link gets in touch with me to guide me through the red tape. Needless to say, I haven't heard from them and I'm not holding my breath. If Ms Jowell thinks SMEs are excited about being selected as suppliers to the Olympics committee she should find out what it's really like to be a small business dealing with a juggernaut like that.

Report this comment

Prize Draw

Enter our prize draw!!

You've probably noticed smallbusiness.co.uk has a brand new look. You can personalise the homepage to suit your needs and there's lots of new content including video, blogs and the small business resource centre.

We're interested to know what you think about the new small business site, so we'd like you to take this opportunity to have your say. All entrants will be entered into our free prize draw to win a bottle of champagne provided by our partners at Laithwaites! Enter here

Polls

Latest News

Britons 'putting work before health'

An increasing number of British people are putting their job before their health due to the pressures of the current financial climate, according to an expert.

Rescue package 'should include small firms'

Small companies should be recognised in the bank restructuring programme to help them with rising costs, according to an industry body.

Rate cut was 'essential'

Industry bodies describe the Bank of England's decision to cut interest rates by 0.5 per cent as good news for small firms.

Companies looking for growth

Cash rich, well-run businesses will be in a strong position to gain market share and make acquisitions over the coming months, a source reports.

More companies opt to screen employees

An increasing number of firms are choosing to screen candidates in a bid to protect the company's data and ensure it is not put at risk, according to a source.

Closing of energywatch 'will affect small businesses'

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has stated many companies will not know where to turn following the closure of energywatch.

Both employers and staff need to be represented

An overhaul of the employment tribunal system needs to take into account the needs of staff and employers, according to the Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD).

Recruitment 'needs to have vetting procedure'

Criminal record checks should not be relied on solely in the recruitment process and a 'proper vetting procedure' should be in place, according to an industry body.

Women still paid unfairly

If you think the pay gap between the sexes is closing, then think again. Research by Smallbusiness.co.uk shows that women are still finishing second best when it comes to salaries.

Europe-wide broadband 'essential for economic growth'

The European Commission (EC) is investigating the potential for all of Europe's businesses and consumers to have high-speed internet by 2010.

Training should be seen as an investment

Companies assessing their costs should view training as an investment and not cut the budget, as it is usually ‘the first thing to go’, a spokesperson asserts.

Guides & Tips

Automated hacking

What do the Sony Playstation game ‘SingStar Pop’ and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) have in common?

Your first business loan

If your business plan and financial forecasts are sound, you may be feeling brave enough to approach a bank for funding.

Blood from a stone

It would be unfeasible to run any enterprise of scale without extending and accepting credit. So how do you deal with problem payers? Find out here.

Don't Miss

Rising Star: Paul Kelly

Championed by the likes of Delia Smith and Jamie Oliver, Paul Kelly started KellyBronze turkeys more than 20 years ago with his dad Derek Kelly. The company is now supplying House of Fraser with its Christmas turkey hamper.

Refinance your business

Refinancing, if successful, can transform a company, not only by providing the funds it needs on terms which are not going to choke it, but also by opening a relationship with sources of support, expertise and useful contacts.

Rising star: Anya Sizer

Anya Sizer of PowerChange started her own business as an infertility coach with the last £4,000 of her savings. One year on and she is breaking even with turnover of £3,000 to £4,000.

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.