Global money movers Ernst & Young, emphasises that the UK is rated as one of the most hospitable entrepreneurial environments among the G20 group of countries. The key points being:

Strengths

• The UK benefits from a strong entrepreneurial culture
• The Government is committed to reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses
•  Start up cost for small businesses are low

Weaknesses

• Support for long-term growth of SMEs is seen as poorly co-ordinated
• Bank lending and stock market activity for SMEs is down

      Opportunities

• The Government could improve tax incentives for business start-ups
• UK entrepreneurs finding it difficult to secure bank loans can seek financing from business angel investors and venture capital

      Threats

• Weak lending conditions could persist, having particularly negative effects on small business start-ups
• Poor coordination of support to entrepreneurs could continue to be a constraint.