Business & Growth

Regional Growth Fund: Business Secretary Vince Cable is due to announce the opening of the Plymouth University and Western Morning News Growth Fund which successfully secured funding from round one of the regional growth fund.

British businesses receive royal award: Over 150 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2011 have been awarded to businesses from across the UK.

Business Link helpline: BIS has appointed Careline Services, in partnership with the Business and Enterprise Group, to provide its new Business Link helpline.

Public Data Corporation: The Prime Minister announced that responsibility for the Land Registry, Met Office and Ordnance Survey will pass to BIS.

New research into high cost credit: Research into how a cap on the total cost of credit in the high cost credit market could affect consumers is to be commissioned by BIS and the Treasury.

Renewed focus on cities: The Government announced new support for cities in order to harness their potential to drive growth and prosperity. Greg Clark will take on the role of Minister for Cities in addition to his existing responsibilities, as a Minister in BIS.

Regulation

Red Tape Challenge: Manufacturing businesses up and down the country are being asked to play their part in cutting bureaucracy and red tape in the latest phase of a campaign to reduce the burdens on British businesses.

Higher Education & science

Access to Education report welcomed: The Government has welcomed the publication of Simon Hughes’s report on improving access to education.

Engineering, Science & Innovation visit: Vince Cable saw first hand the strength of the UK in engineering, science and innovation during a visit to Norwich.

Computer trading: Senior experts from the fields of finance, trade and regulation have met to provide insight on the risks caused by technological advances in computer trading for investors, businesses and the public.

Employment & Skills

UK Commission for Employment and Skills: Vince Cable and Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith have appointed nine new Commissioners to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

English Language courses: Skills Minister John Hayes pledged to provide more effective, targeted help for people who face barriers to learning the English language skills communities need.

Skills project will boost economy growth: Vince Cable has announced Government backing for employer led projects to deliver the skills for growth in sectors ranging from healthcare to nuclear manufacturing.

Research & Development

Helicopter production, research & development: Production, research and development of helicopters in the UK has taken a major step forward with a total of £32 million of public finance announced by Vince Cable.

Get Involved

BIS currently has 9 consultations open. These include:

• Revision of the Industrial Development Act 1982
• Consultation on Modern Workplaces
• Empowering and protecting consumers