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PM backs small businesses in new campaign

Empty and under-used government offices may become home to start-up and growing small businesses, under plans forming part of a new initiative announced by Prime Minister David Cameron.

The Business in You campaign, launched by Mr Cameron on 23 January, is designed to inspire people to launch or expand their own businesses and help entrepreneurs and small business-owners understand the range of information and help available from the government and the private sector.

The campaign, running nationwide throughout 2012, will draw on the real life experiences of small business-owners to encourage new entrepreneurs and features a Business in You web portal, bringing together a range of useful resources.

Some of the organisations involved in the campaign will also offer free services, including workshops, web-based seminars and video tutorials on issues like finance as well as providing mentoring and access to face-to-face consultancy sessions.

Each month, the campaign will also focus on a different theme relating to start-ups and growth, including exporting and employment.

Mr Cameron said: "Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the British economy and I am determined that we, working with the private sector, do everything we can to help them to start up and to grow in 2012.

“I want to encourage people to go for it and make this the year of enterprise – whether that is fulfilling their dream of starting a new business or taking the leap to grow their business, to employ more staff, or to start exporting."

Partners in the campaign include StartUp Britain, the Confederation of British Industry, the British Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Forum of Private Business.

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