HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor Gordon Brown champions the risk takers and entrepreneurs [July 1999]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 July 1999.

Lord Trotman to Review Measures to Help the Small Business Sector

A review of the measures to support SMEs and entrepreneurs and what further incentives could help a thriving small business sector in Britain has been announced today by the Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Lord Trotman, former Chairman and Chief Executive of the Ford Motor Company, will undertake the review. It will look at the measures taken so far to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), covering both tax and public sending programmes.

The Chancellor said:

“The Government places great store by creating the right environment in which enterprises can invest, raise finance and grow. Supporting a thriving business sector which can compete and innovate is one important component of the Government’s drive to improve UK productivity.”

Lord Trotman has been asked to look at the impact of existing policies and what other measures could be developed. This will involve liaison with officials from HM Treasury, Department of Trade and Industry and Inland Revenue. He will report to the Chancellor with interim findings by the end of December 1999 to inform the March 2000 Budget.