Small Business Saturday recognises the huge contribution small businesses make to the UK economy
Now entering its fourth year, Small Business Saturday is an independent campaign that this year took place on 3rd December to champion small businesses. This year we emphasised that government is open for business and wants to work with more smaller businesses across the UK. This supports the government commitment to spend £1 in every £3 with SMEs by 2020. We also highlighted the range of government support available to small businesses.
Ian Forster, Sales Director of Critiqom said:
“Since securing a place on a government framework our sales have increased significantly and we’ve generated over £500,000 worth of new business in just 8 months. After securing a place on a government framework you have to actively promote your services. We built relationships with government buyers; they really understood the innovation and value for money we offer”
Ben Gummer, Minister for the Cabinet Office said: “In the last 6 years, over 2.7 million jobs have been created and almost a million new businesses have been launched by small businesses.
“We are absolutely committed to helping small businesses grow, which is why by 2020, £1 in £3 of government spending will be with small businesses.
“We know there is still work to be done to make it easier to do business with government. I have tasked a panel of business experts from across the UK to advise us on increasing spending with small businesses.”
Leading entrepreneur Emma Jones MBE, Crown Representative for small businesses added: “My message to British small businesses today is clear, seize Small Business Saturday and make sure you are ready to bid for and win government contracts.
“Spend today reading the advice online and looking for government contracts. The best place for this is Contracts Finder which is the single portal for contracts worth £10,000 or over. To find out more visit: http://bit.ly/2fYV12c”
How you can join in
- Follow @cabinetofficeuk, @UKGovScotland and @beisgovuk and retweet content
- Use the suggested content outlined below across your own communications channels
- Use the #SmallBizSatUK and #Open4Biz hashtags
- Encourage small businesses to sell to government and signpost followers to Gov.UK – http://bit.ly/2fYV12c
- Highlight the range of government support available for small businesses and signpost followers to Gov.UK – http://bit.ly/2fy5p0b
