These were the findings of a Confederation of Business Industry (CBI) report The small business service five years on.

The report highlights that five years ago the Government pledged to make the UK one of the best places to start and grow a business by 2005.

However, according to the CBI, and despite establishing the Small Business Service (SBS), the Government failed to meet four out of seven targets.

BPIF public affairs officer Lizzie Hawkins said that overall she felt there had been a lot of work done by the Government, but agreed with a number of the CBI points.

"We (the BPIF) still see ourselves as the first place small printers come to if they don't want to get caught up in red tape," said Hawkins.

She said there still needed to be more consultation between the different government departments.

The four targets that weren't met are; building an enterprise culture, improving regulation, creating a positive environment, and encouraging entrepreneurs in disadvantaged areas.

The three targets achieved were; improving access to funding, making it easier to start a business, and making government more accessible.

Story by Andy Scott