Technological developments mean that today it is ‘easier than it has ever been to start a business, and quicker than it ever has been to grow’, a report into SMEs claims. The report, by Lord Young – enterprise adviser to the Prime Minister- is the first of its kind since the Bolton Report of 1971, when office technology consisted of the three Ts – the telephone, typewriter and telex.

The report seeks to highlight key developments that have helped to boost enterprise in the UK over the last few years, and to reflect on some of the issues that still need to be addressed. Technological developments are at the forefront of the report, unsurprising given the rise of the internet. But low start-up costs and high levels of support are also cited in the report’s ‘three good reasons to start up a business today’. Essentially, technology is behind each of the reasons, which are:

• Low start-up costs – the report claims that most businesses now start for less than £100, and that with a smartphone and business card in hand, you can make sales and set up operations from home.
• Enabling technology – social media platforms and trading sites offer a powerful route to market and make marketing and selling online affordable and achievable.
• High level of support – campaigns from the Government, peers and the private sector are highlighting the support that is available online to entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Commenting in the report’s foreword, Lord Young says: “Today it is easier than it ever has been to start a business, quicker than it has ever been to grow. You can sell globally from your front room. As the number of self-employed continues to grow, as more and more people work part time, the very pattern of work has changed and the Government has to change with it. I hope that this will be read and used as a tool to help those about to work for themselves or start their own business.”