Research and analysis

Report on small firms 2010 to 2015 by Lord Young

The Prime Minister’s Enterprise Advisor Lord Young reviewed the changing face of small businesses in the UK over the past 5 years.

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There are now a record number of small firms in the UK, 5.2 million, an increase of 760,000 since 2010, and a record number of people in work.

It finds that our changing relationship with the internet has brought down barriers to help people turn good ideas into viable businesses. The government has rolled out super-fast broadband to over 2 million UK homes and businesses. The increasing use of tablets and smartphones providing mobile internet access has made it easier for business owners to reach their customers and make sales.

The report charts a culture change; more people are choosing to be their own boss because of conviction in their own ideas. It also covers enterprise in education, changing public procurement, finance models and support for businesses, and includes case studies.

It also outlines how government policies providing more support for small firms and new enterprises have helped change the business environment over the past 5 years.

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Published 10 February 2015

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