Cuts hit business advice service

Business Link in the East of England will close on November 25 and become part of the national website and contact centre as part of national government cut backs.

Chris Parkhouse, chairman of the regional service, urged businesses to take advantage of the dedicated east of England Business Link, which will continue until being ‘streamlined’.

Mr Parkhouse said: “What’s important to remember here is that Business Link is not closing its doors today; the current service comprising one-to-one adviser support, tailored events and an in-region information advice service will remain open until November 25.

“The government’s decision to streamline the regional service into one national Business Link offering comes at a time when purse strings are being tightened to get the economy back on track.

“There’s no question that our skilled and experienced team have delivered a consistently outstanding Business Link service to the region’s businesses and entrepreneurs. Last year alone, over 3,500 new businesses were created with their help, leading to the creation of 5,626 new jobs, and 6,711 established businesses received one-to-one support from a Business Link adviser.”

The government has also announced a New Enterprise Allowance Scheme to support the unemployed into self-employment, a Business Coaching for Growth programme to fast track high-growth businessesa and a substantial business mentoring network.

Telephone 08457 171615 or email [email protected] www.businesslink.gov.uk/east