smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Dragons' Den star Peter Jones will head a government review into how young people can be helped to set up a company.

The businessman, who is the chief executive of Phones International Group, will lead the team examining how support can be developed and improved for people leaving university and looking to establish a new firm, skills secretary John Denham reveals.

As part of the review, the current system for supporting start-ups will be investigated, with strong or innovative practices being highlighted and recommendations made about how training for new companies can be improved.

Commenting on the review, Denham explains: 'The life blood of new small businesses is the entrepreneurial spirit - the well-judged risk that can let a business idea flourish.'

He adds that the new development is part of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills' drive to support the UK's start-ups.

Jones also says he is 'delighted' to be leading the review and claims there is scope for the support and training provided to aspiring businesspeople to be improved.

Prince's Trust North East recently revealed that more than 300 young people will be helped to start their own company, after £500,000 was secured from the European Regional Development Fund and development agency One North East.

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