According to a recent report released by the CBI, the Government's business support network is failing to provide high-quality help and advice to new and growing firms.

Ian McCaffertey, CBI chief economic advisor, explained that there are too many overlapping confusing and inconsistent schemes.

On investigation, there does seem to be an amazing array of support, help and advice available for the budding Bransons out there.

Trawling the net, there are bank-sponsored sites brimming with start-up information, free seminars on "how to find your pot of gold" and any amount of publications offering step by step guides to success. So where do you start?

Business Link, known as the Government's 'flagship agency', offers a business start-up programme locally.

This includes a four-day course covering business issues such as finance, legislation, drawing up a marketing and business plan - all completely free of charge.

On this scheme, new companies in Herefordshire and Worcestershire can expect to have the support of a business advisor to guide them as they grow, as well as additional workshops as appropriate.

The CBI report said that only one in seven firms in the UK use the services of Business Link.

A percentage of these are not aware of what help is available, but from a local perspective, the information seems easy enough to find (www.blwm.com).

There is no doubt a good argument for simplification and streamlining by Government, but surely a person with vision who is passionate about their new business should be able to filter out the help they need from the various schemes available.

Whether they can actually access affordable and appropriate sources of capital may be another matter. No amount of advice can help if there is not enough cash available. Then it must be time for the Dragon's Den!

Louise Hewett

www.hewett-recruitment.co.uk