Griffiths

The government on Monday gave guidance to small businesses wanting to tap into European funding opportunities.

The Small Business Service published a new guidance pack, "Access to EU Funding'', which explained to small firms what kind of EU loans and grants are available.

Ministers hope that small firms will become more aware of the different sources of EU finance available to them alongside the government's support for business start-ups and established small firms.

EU agencies make cash available for small companies aiming improve competitiveness, productivity and innovation.

Nigel Griffiths, the minister for small business, said the new pamphlet "sets the record straight" for small businesses.

''This guidance pack will become a valuable resource for thousands of small businesses across the UK so they can tap into funds available from Europe," he said.

"'Everyone knows that the EU has in place many grant and loan schemes to help SMEs, adding up to billions of euros, but there are so many, and they are distributed in a variety of different ways, that it can be confusing for the small business man or woman."