The government has published plans to make Britain "the best place in the world" for small businesses by axing regulations that burden small firms.

A new the three year strategy for the Small Business Service published on Thursday commits it to acting as a "strong voice for small businesses at the heart of government", minimising regulatory burdens on business, enhancing business' competitiveness and profitability and championing entrepreneurship.

Commenting on the strategy, SBS chief executive David Irwin said: "Over the next few years the challenges to small businesses will be immense as they face increasing globalisation, the explosion of e-business, customers who are ever more demanding and new regulatory requirements. Ultimately these are challenges that can only be faced by business on an individual basis. And they will only thrive if the society in which they are operating is supportive of their success."

The SBS also said its key priorities for the coming year would be to ensure that all parts of government consider the needs of small business, reform the regulatory environment for small businesses and improve the Business Link network which provide information, advice and access to experts on all issues relating to running a business.

The SBS is a government agency created to champion the interests of small businesses which is was created in April 2000.