Written question asked by Chi Onwurah (Labour) on Thursday, 17 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 March 2011. It was answered by Mark Prisk (Conservative) on Wednesday, 23 March 2011 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Business Link

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for future funding of Business Link; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Government's plans for modernising the provision of publicly funded support, information and advice for business were set out in the 'Bigger, Better Business' pamphlet published on 5 January 2011. The regional Business Link advisory service will close by the end of November this year. The Businesslink website will continue and be enhanced, supported by a new national contact centre for those who cannot access the information they need on the website.Following the spending review, the nine Regional Development Agencies will receive £92 million for 2011/12 to fund the regional Business Link advisory service's core information, diagnostics and brokerage offer.Future funding of:"www.businesslink.gov.uk"is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs, who outsource the provision. The new national contact centre is subject to a tendering exercise.

Secondary information