The government plan to meet with business owners across the UK to discuss the issues of growth and competitiveness and to ask what can be done to encourage entrepreneurship.

"Britain has seen a significant increase in the numbers of small businesses in the last four years. We must now build on this success and ensure these small enterprises grow and take advantage of the new global markets," stated State for Business, John Hutton.

The move was welcomed by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), but there were also calls for the consultations to discuss wider issues affecting business, such as transport and education.

“From the difficulties in finding skilled employees to the challenges of an overburdened transport infrastructure, the needs of business extend far and wide," stated David Frost, director general of the BCC.

“Enterprise in the UK will only thrive if its needs are at the heart of every department, and we look forward to working with the government to make this a reality.”

Small and medium sized businesses employ 59% of the UK workforce and contribute £369 billion to the economy every year; however, the growth rate for these businesses is still behind the US, and there are low rates of involvement in entrepreneurship amongst women and minorities.