smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

A new report indicates that small firms using the government's Business Link service add £750 million to the UK economy each year.

Conducted by economists from Warwick, Kingston and Aston University business schools, the study looked at more than 3,000 small businesses and demonstrated that those using Business Link grew more successfully than those that didn't.

Business Link is a multi-channel support service for SMEs in the UK, and helps them become more competitive and successful. There are 45 county-based Business Link operators located around the country.

According to the study, each £1 spent in government funding resulted in £2.26 of additional value to the economy because of better business performance.

'Small and medium enterprises account for a large portion of the UK economy. This report shows the Business Link service is being used by many of them for help and support, boosting the economy as a whole,' says Stephen Timms, the new minister for small business.

'We will continue to grow the Business Link service, making it the definitive place for small businesses to find support.'