Business views on the role of the public sector to increase the competitiveness of SMEs

Overview

Purpose of survey

This survey aims to understand how the public sector (particularly local authorities) can better support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow and be competitive.

Birmingham City Council and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) are participating in a 5 year Interreg Europe funded project – PURE COSMOS. This research aims to address some of the barriers to growth for SMEs so as to help improve the effectiveness of services, and support packages provided by the local authorities to enhance SMEs competitiveness.

Why your views matter

Introduction to the survey

The GBSLEP recognise the importance of SMEs to local and national economies, making up a significant proportion of the region’s business base that supports employment, growth and innovation.

Local government sector has a critical role in supporting the growth and resilience of the SME base and Birmingham City Council are ambitious to do more to support SMEs, recognising that they will be the key source of growth amidst an era of public sector cuts.

This survey is a starting point to assess the needs and availability of the relevant support among SMEs like yours. Your answers to this survey will help to shape strategic approaches; they will be treated in strict confidence and published in an aggregate form only. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and we very much appreciate your participation