Call for Evidence - UK Parliament:Small Business Strategy

The Transformative Enterprise Research Group (TERG) at University of the West of Scotland (UWS) comprises academic staff and PhD students with experience of working directly with businesses. The group is focused on making a transformative contribution to knowledge, practice and policy in the field of enterprise education. Its core research themes include SME start-up, sustainability and growth; enterprise and policy; and entrepreneurial practice and skills. Focusing on the role of universities and collaborative ecosystem policy, this submission draws on the project team’s ongoing (research) work and interactions with small businesses, chiefly within the west of Scotland, and reflects our roles as active researchers and business-facing academics. It considers relevant policy, highlights key challenges, and presents recommendations to support the future of the UK economy. Our response is grouped thematically, with question-specific responses coded.