Almost the Entire UK Business Community Is Urgently Seeking Help
Across the country, 99 % of key growth drivers are telling the government to put business support front‑and‑center. That’s a whole lot of entrepreneurs, small‑biz owners, and early‑stage talent waving their collective banner at the ministries.
National Enterprise Network (NEN) Survey Highlights Key Points
- Half of them (52 %) expect growth next year—so the business ecosystem is optimistic.
- Three‑quarters (76 %) are wincing over rising costs and are braced for needing fresh funding to stay afloat.
- And a staggering 99 % say they need support NOW.
Carol Daniels, NEN’s Operations Director, summed it up: “We’re calling for a manifesto that reshapes how enterprise support works in the UK.”
So, What’s Ticking?
The landscape is clear: businesses, especially startups and micro‑enterprises, feel the crunch. Funding roadblocks, cost hikes, and the need for agile support systems are their trump cards. The NEN’s 2023 Business Barometer, the biggest of its kind, showcases this collective urgency.
Why It Matters for the UK’s Future Growth Targets
With such widespread demand, policy shifts could kick the economy into high gear—fueling innovation, job creation, and a stronger, more resilient business fabric.
In short, the UK’s business community is shouting louder than ever: if we want to hit those future growth milestones, the government’s got to step up and deliver fast.
Small Businesses Are Facing a Mount‑of‑Challenges, but We’re Not Giving Up
In the newest NEN conference (our A Manifesto for Change in Enterprise Support), Alex Till—NEN’s chair—spoke straight to the heart and gave us a quick snapshot of what’s happening on the ground.
Why Small Enterprises Matter
- There are over six million entrepreneurs popping up across the UK.
- These tiny powerhouses sum up to half of the nation’s GDP and half of its growth.
- And they’re the lion‑hearted drivers of 75 % of all innovation.
Alex said: “If we want a thriving economy, we gotta keep these micro‑and‑small businesses pumping out new ideas and jobs.”
Survey Snapshot – What the Data Tells Us
We ran the Business Barometer in partnership with Enterprise Northern Ireland. Over 1,000 owners, founders, and senior managers across a rainbow of sectors filled out the survey.
- 52 % of them expect growth next year.
- 38 % already saw higher turnover.
- 40 % saw a profit increase.
- Surprisingly, 82 % report a stable or strong cash flow.
- About 26 % added staff over the last year.
- And 81 % rate staff productivity from good to excellent.
What They’re Looking For
- Nearly three-quarters (77 %) say they’ll need extra financing within the next 12 months.
- Half of those applicants (about 50 %) want the money for equipment, premises, or software.
- Almost one-fifth ( 19 % ) plan to use it to reach net‑zero goals.
- And a staggering 99 % shout that they need help right now.
What’s Piling Up? The Big Pain Points
- Energy costs are climbing every single day.
- Prices for goods, services, and swanky staff wages have spiked.
- Debt costs are rising, and some customers are slipping on late payments.
- Cyberspace is a danger zone—security and privacy concerns run high.
- Pulling fresh supplies is turning into a real sleuthing task.
- Finding the right people to join the team is proving to be a tough game.
Where Do They Turn First?
- About 30 % go straight to Enterprise Agencies or trade membership bodies.
- Others lean on local government departments, professional services like lawyers or accountants, or even local colleges.
What Kind of Help Do They Need?
- Boosting sales and business development (plus the whole export scene).
- Becoming more efficient and effective across the board.
- Mastering digital marketing and the wild world of social media.
- People and skills—getting the right talent and training.
- An extra push in financing.
- New tech tools and strategies for leadership.
- Learning how to bring sustainability into everyday business practice.
Bottom Line – We’re All In
These businesses aren’t just going to sit around—they’re pushing for change, demanding policy that keeps them solvent, savvy, and survivor‑ready. If the next year’s growth plate is to keep climbing, we all, from government to banks to mentors, need to roll up our sleeves and help these small‑business heroes keep riding the wave.
